PMID: 9523749Apr 2, 1998Paper

Clinical experience with anti-D in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Seminars in Hematology
A Scaradavou, James Bussel

Abstract

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease of children and adults, is characterized by low platelet counts and bleeding through mucous membranes. While not uncommon among otherwise healthy adults and children, ITP is a frequent complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Anti-D is a gamma globulin (IgG) fraction containing a high proportion of antibodies to the Rh0 (D) antigen of the red blood cells. Clinical studies over the past 10 years have shown intravenous anti-D to be a safe and effective treatment for Rh-positive, nonsplenectomized patients with ITP (classic or HIV-related). While it is unlikely that anti-D is a curative treatment for ITP, repeated infusions can be used to maintain the platelet count at a level sufficient to provide adequate hemostasis (>30,000/microL) and may enable patients to postpone or even avoid splenectomy.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur as a result of an attack by the immune system on the body’s own tissues resulting in damage and dysfunction. There are different types of autoimmune diseases, in which there is a complex and unknown interaction between genetics and the environment. Discover the latest research on autoimmune diseases here.