Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is typically described as which of the following?

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is typically described as which of the following?

• A. Acute viral infection preceding onset
• B. Bacterial pneumonia
• C. Chronic kidney disease
• D. Vitamin C deficiency

Answer: (A)

ITP is an immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. The classic description is abrupt onset of petechiae, purpura, and mucosal bleeding that follows a recent viral infection, especially in children. Autoantibodies target platelet surface glycoproteins, tagging platelets for destruction by the spleen, which drops the platelet count and produces bleeding symptoms. The timing after a viral illness is the hallmark feature, reflecting the immune trigger. In contrast, bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and doesn’t describe immune destruction of platelets; chronic kidney disease causes platelet dysfunction rather than isolated immune-mediated thrombocytopenia; and vitamin C deficiency causes bleeding from defective collagen synthesis, not immune platelet destruction.

ITP is an immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. The classic description is abrupt onset of petechiae, purpura, and mucosal bleeding that follows a recent viral infection, especially in children. Autoantibodies target platelet surface glycoproteins, tagging platelets for destruction by the spleen, which drops the platelet count and produces bleeding symptoms. The timing after a viral illness is the hallmark feature, reflecting the immune trigger. In contrast, bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and doesn’t describe immune destruction of platelets; chronic kidney disease causes platelet dysfunction rather than isolated immune-mediated thrombocytopenia; and vitamin C deficiency causes bleeding from defective collagen synthesis, not immune platelet destruction.