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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2014; 20(3): 714-723
Published online Jan 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i3.714
Helicobacter pylori-associated immune thrombocytopenia: Clinical features and pathogenic mechanisms
Masataka Kuwana
Masataka Kuwana, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
Author contributions: Kuwana M designed the research, performed the research, performed literature search, and wrote the paper.
Supported by A research grant for Research on Intractable Diseases from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, No. H23-Nanchi-Ippan-002
Correspondence to: Masataka Kuwana, MD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. kuwanam@z5.keio.jp
Telephone: +81-3-33503567 Fax: +81-3-33503567
Received: September 17, 2013
Revised: November 14, 2013
Accepted: December 3, 2013
Published online: January 21, 2014
Processing time: 155 Days and 7.5 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: In this review, we summarize recent updates on basic and clinical aspects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). We highlight the efficacy of H. pylori eradication in adult and childhood ITP as well as in secondary ITP, variability in the efficacy of eradication in various countries, factors predicting the eradication-related platelet response, and the mechanisms responsible for the development of ITP in association with H. pylori infection. It is apparent that in a distinct subgroup of H. pylori-associated ITP, this bacterial infection is central to the ITP pathogenesis.