Frontiers in Immunology (Sep 2023)

Current knowledge of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and COVID-19

  • Junjie Cheng,
  • Hanhai Zeng,
  • Huaijun Chen,
  • Linfeng Fan,
  • Chaoran Xu,
  • Huaping Huang,
  • Tianchi Tang,
  • Min Li

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213510
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Thrombocytopenia, characterized by a decrease in platelet count, is commonly observed in sepsis and COVID-19. In sepsis, thrombocytopenia can result from various mechanisms, including impaired platelet production in the bone marrow, accelerated platelet destruction due to increased inflammation, sequestration of platelets in the spleen, immune-mediated platelet destruction, or dysregulated host responses. Similarly, thrombocytopenia has been reported in COVID-19 patients, but the immune-related mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Notably, interventions targeting thrombocytopenia have shown potential for improving outcomes in both sepsis and COVID-19 patients. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.

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