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:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213510

Current knowledge of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and COVID-19

Front Immunol. 2023 Sep 28:14:1213510. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213510. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Junjie Cheng¹, Hanhai Zeng², Huaijun Chen², Linfeng Fan², Chaoran Xu², Huaping Huang², Tianchi Tang², Min Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Intensive Care Unit, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China.
² Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; platelet; platelet count; sepsis; thrombocytopenia.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anemia*
Blood Platelets
COVID-19*
Humans
Platelet Count
Sepsis* / complications
Sepsis* / therapy
Thrombocytopenia* / etiology
Thrombocytopenia* / therapy