title: Intramuscular anti-D immunoglobulins for home treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: To assess the efficacy of home treatment with intramuscular anti-D immunoglobulins (anti-D IgG) in patients with idiopathic or HIV-related chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), we conducted an open label, non-controlled, prospective study with a follow-up of 6 months in 51 consecutive patients with HIV-related (n = 24) or idiopathic ITP (n = 27). Anti-D IgG (13 micrograms/kg) were infused intravenously for three consecutive days (induction therapy). Patients whose platelet counts failed to increase above 50 x 10(9)/l were given a second course of the same therapy. If their platelet counts remained lower than 50 x 10(9)/l, they were considered non-responsive. Patients who responded to induction therapy were injected intramuscularly with 6 micrograms/kg/week anti-D IgG if platelets were between 50 and 100 x 10(9)/l or 13 micrograms/kg/week if they dropped to less than 50 x 10(9)/l. After induction therapy, responses occurred in 20/24 HIV-related chronic ITP patients (83%) and in 14/27 idiopathic chronic ITP patients (52%). During follow-up, platelets remained above 50 x 10(9)/l in 17/20 HIV-related chronic ITP patients (85%) and in 8/14 (57%) idiopathic chronic ITP patients. We conclude that anti-D IgG are a valid therapeutic option for treatment of idiopathic and HIV-related chronic ITP, since they are safe, cheap and can be given intramuscularly at home.
authors.affiliation: A. Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gringeri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santagostino
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mannucci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System