Low platelets: a new and simple prognostic marker for patients with hepatitis E virus-related acute liver failure

Background and aims Hepatitis E virus-related acute liver failure (HEV-ALF) rapidly worsens and has a high mortality. However, no simple and specific parameters for predicting short-term mortality are available. Methods A derivation cohort including 97 patients with HEV-ALF and another validation cohort were enrolled. Laboratory and clinical parameters were recorded. Platelet count, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), and King’s College criteria (KCC) were separately used for predicting mortality, and the levels of cytokines associated with systemic inflammation, platelet production, and platelet activation were measured. Results Platelet counts were significantly lower in patients with HEV-ALF, and nonsurvivors had lower platelet counts than survivors ( p