Severe Thrombocytopenia Associated with Cocaine Use
Authors: Cindy A. Leissinger
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1990)

Brief Reports1 May 1990Severe Thrombocytopenia Associated with Cocaine UseCindy A. Leissinger, MDCindy A. Leissinger, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-112-9-708 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptDuring the past 15 months, six habitual cocaine users have been evaluated for severe, destructive thrombocytopenia with platelet counts of less than 20 x 109/L. None of our patients had antibodies to type 1-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and five of five tested were negative for antibodies to human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I), a reportedly common finding in intravenous drug users in the New Orleans area (1). Five patients used cocaine intravenously, whereas the sixth patient used cocaine only by inhalation. A direct, causal relation between cocaine use and thrombocytopenia that is unrelated to retroviral infection is suggested, with...References1. Gore I, Snyder T, and Decker W. Frequent isolation and molecular identification of human T-cell leukemia virus type-2 (HTLV-2) in three U.S. population centers [Abstract]. Clin Res. 1989;37:429A. Google Scholar2. Adams W, Rufo R, Talarico L, Silverman S, and Brauer M. Thrombocytopenia and intravenous heroin use. Ann Intern Med. 1978; 89:207-11. LinkGoogle Scholar3. Ryan D. Heroin and thrombocytopenia [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1979;90:852-3. LinkGoogle Scholar4. Taetle R and Browning S. Thrombocytopenia associated with intravenous heroin abuse. West J Med. 1979;131:62-4. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Savona S, Mardi M, Lennette E, and Karpatkin S. Thrombocytopenic purpura in narcotics addicts. Ann Intern Med. 1985;102:737-41. LinkGoogle Scholar6. Karpatkin S. Immunologic thrombocytopenic purpura in HIV-seropositive homosexuals, narcotic addicts and hemophiliacs. Semin Hematol. 1988;25:219-29. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Cindy A. Leissinger, MDFrom the Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana. For current author address, see end of text. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byQuantitative changes in blood cellsCocaine-Induced Agitated DeliriumQuantitative Changes in Blood CellsKokainCocaineCocaïneThe cocaine abusing parturient: a review of anesthetic considerationsCocainePathophysiology of cocaine abuseCase-control study of antenatal cocaine use and platelet levelsCocaine-induced acute renal failure, hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia mimicking thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpuraPlatelet and Hemorrhagic Disorders Associated with Pregnancy: A Review. Part IICocaine-associated myocardial and mesenteric ischemia: A case report and review of the literaturePlatelet and Hemorrhagic Disorders Associated with PregnancyPlatelet and Hemorrhagic Disorders Associated with PregnancyMedical complications of cocaine abuseThe Cocaine-Abusing Parturient Is Not at an Increased Risk for ThrombocytopeniaThe Cocaine-Abusing Parturient Is Not at an Increased Risk for ThrombocytopeniaThrombocytopenia in pregnant women who use cocaineThe Pulmonary Complications of Crack CocaineStrokeThe interaction of alcohol and cocaine: A reviewOral lesions of iatrogenic and undefined etiology and neurologic disorders associated with HIV infectionCocaine-associated thrombocytopeniaUse of intravenous immunoglobulin in acquired immune deficiency syndrome 1 May 1990Volume 112, Issue 9Page: 708-710KeywordsAddictsAntibodiesCocaineHematology and oncologyImmunodeficienciesInhalationPlatelets ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 May 1990 PDF downloadLoading ...