Effect of helicobacter pylori eradication on hepatitis C virus associated thrombocytopenia

Background The infection with the hepatitis C virus is a common cause of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, causing many hepatic and extra hepatic complications such as thrombocytopenia. Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative organism, which is complicated by gastric and extra gastric diseases as chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Aim Showing the effect of eradication of H. pylori on platelet count in cases of hepatitis C associated thrombocytopenia. Patients and methods This study was consisted of 150 patients subdivided into two groups. Group 1, including 100 patients with chronic hepatitis C and thrombocytopenia with positive H. pylori infection. Group 2, including 50 control patients with hepatitis C, thrombocytopenia, and negative H. pylori. All were subjected to complete history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory tests. Group 1 was divided after triple therapy into group 1a (responders) and 1b (nonresponders). Results Platelet count in group 1 just after and after 6 months of triple therapy for H. pylori was significantly higher than in group 2. Platelets in group 1 before triple therapy were significantly lower than platelets in group 1 just after and after 6 months of triple therapy. Platelets in group 1 after 6 months of triple therapy were significantly higher than platelets in group 1 just after triple therapy. Platelet count in group 1a was significantly higher than group 1b. Conclusion Successful eradication of H. pylori can help in treating thrombocytopenia in chronic liver disease patients.