Condition- ITP Flashcards
1
Q
What is Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)?
A
A syndrome characterised by immune destruction of platelets resulting in bruising and bleeding tendency
2
Q
List some causes of ITP
A
- Primary ITP: autoantibodies generated which bind to Glp2b/3a on platelets
- Secondary ITP:
- Infections (malaria, EBV, HIV)
- Autoimmune diseases (SLE, thyroid disease)
- Malignancies
- Drugs (quinine)
3
Q
What is the antibody that is implicated in immune thrombocytopaenic purpura?
A
Anti-GpIIb/ anti-GPIIIa
4
Q
Recall the general signs/ symptoms of ITP
A
- Easy bruising- visible petechiae and bruises
- Epistaxis
- Mucosal bleeding
- menorrhagia
5
Q
What are the first and second line investigations for ITP? What other investigations might you consider?
A
- Bloods
- Blood Film
- Bone marrow aspiration- to exclude other pathologies (acute leukaemia, marrow infiltration etc)
6
Q
What would you see in the bloods of someone with ITP?
A
- Low platelets
- May see high WCC
- Clotting screen- normal PT, APTT and fibrinogen
- Autoantibodies present
7
Q
Why is a blood smear conducted?
A
To rule out pseudothrombocytopaenia (which is caused by platelets clumping together and giving falsely low counts)
+ can rule out other disorders
