title: Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus-associated thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Seven patients with thrombocytopenia and systemic lupus erythematosus were treated with intravenous (IV) doses of human immunoglobulin to assess clinical response and to examine the mechanism of action of IV immunoglobulin in these patients. Five of 7 patients had a greater than 50% increase in their platelet counts. Four of these patients had a sustained benefit of at least 6 months duration. The initial effectiveness of IV immunoglobulin therapy was not dependent on the reduction of levels of circulating platelet-binding IgG or circulating immune complexes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Woodlee
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins