Study on immune mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in secondary dengue virus infection - Study on mechanisms on thrombocytopenia in dengue

The levels of platelet apoptosis from patients were significantly increased during the acute and early convalescent phase of infection compared with those of healthy controls. A significant inverse correlation was found between the levels of platelet apoptosis and the peripheral platelet counts or the levels of platelet phagocytosis among these patients during the acute phase of infection. Furthermore, a significant direct correlation between the levels of platelet phagocytosis and platelet apoptosis was also found in the acute phase of these patients. Our present data suggest a mechanism of thrombocytopenia through apoptotic platelet clearance by macrophages during the acute phase of secondary dengue virus infection.