Thrombocytopenia in leptospirosis: the absence of evidence for disseminated intravascular coagulation
Edwards, C.N.; Nicholson, G.D.; Hassell, T.A.; Everard, C.O.; Callender, J.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 35(2): 352-354
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 3953949 Document Number: 273464
In a prospective study of human leptospirosis, thrombocytopenia was demonstrated in 54% of 24 cases. The only additional laboratory evidence suggestive of disseminated intravascular coagulation lay in a mild elevation of fibrinogen degradation products, but this occurred with equal frequency in nonthrombocytopenic patients. There is therefore no causal relationship between disseminated intravascular coagulation and the thrombocytopenia of human leptospirosis.