PMID: 15373659Sep 18, 2004Paper

Review: immune thrombocytopenic purpura: an update for immunohematologists

Immunohematology
S G Sandler

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired disease in which autoantibodies to platelets cause their sequestration and destruction by mononuclear macrophages, principally in the spleen. If increased production of platelets by megakaryocytes does not compensate for platelet destruction, the number of circulating platelets decreases (thrombocytopenia), resulting in a characteristic bleeding tendency (purpura). While most children with the disease experience a relatively short and benign clinical course, ITP in adults often lasts more than 6 months (chronic ITP) and is resistant to conventional treatment (corticosteroids, intravenous immune globulin, or splenectomy). The goal of medical management is to increase the platelet count to a safe level, without the risks of bacterial infections associated with splenectomy or toxicity from prolonged corticosteroid therapy. Splenectomy increases platelet counts in hours to days in most patients with acute ITP, but nearly 50 percent experience recurrent thrombocytopenia by 5 years postsplenectomy.

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.

Blood Clotting Disorders

Thrombophilia includes conditions with increased tendency for excessive blood clotting. Blood clotting occurs when the body has insufficient amounts of specialized proteins that make blood clot and stop bleeding. Here is the latest research on blood clotting disorders.