What is immune-mediated thrombocytopenia?
Thrombocytopenia means a reduction in platelets (thrombocytes). Platelets (one of the cell types in the blood) play an important role in the clotting process; thus the main result of a decrease in platelets is increased bleeding – for example, nosebleeds. In immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT), the reduction happens because there is increased destruction of platelets by the body’s own immune system, at a rate faster than they are produced in the bone marrow. IMT may be secondary to some other process (such as an infection, tumour, or drug reaction) or it may be primary, meaning that no other causative factor can be found. It is more common in certain breeds, suggesting there is an inherited component. IMT may occur by itself or with other conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. How is immune-mediated thrombocytopenia inherited? unknown. However it is more common in certain breeds, which suggests that there is an inherited component. What breeds
