Infective Causes of Fever and Thrombocytopenia among Indoor Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Islamabad

Abstract

Objective. To identify infective causes of thrombocytopenia among indoor patients in a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad.
Methodology: All patients with documented fever of more than 3 days and platelets of less than 140,000/ml were included in the study. In total 147 patients of fever due to infective causes with thrombocytopenia were included, whereas patients with non-infective causes of thrombocytopenia were excluded. The patients were advised Blood CP, MP smear, ICT MP, Blood C/S, Dengue NS1, Dengue serology, Serology for leptospirosis and X-Ray chest. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS.
Results: Among 147 cases, 35% of patients were males and 45% were females. Mean age was 39.65+16 years. The maximum number of patients had a platelet count between 20,000-50,000. The largest number of patients presented with petechiae followed by those with gingival bleeds and epistaxis. The diseases diagnosed in order of frequency were Dengue, Enteric fever, Malaria, Sepsis with DIC, Brucella, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis A, Disseminated TB and HIV.
Conclusion: Infective causes of, which are fairly reversible with control of infection, should be kept in mind before embarking upon definitive and prolonged treatments of thrombocytopenia
Key words: Epistaxis, Gingival bleed, Petechiae, Thrombocytopenia.