Posttransfusion purpura: the therapeutic value of PlA1-negative platelets.
A case of PlA1-associated posttransfusion purpura (PTP) is reported, in which a previously sensitized patient developed life-threatening thrombocytopenia, purpura, hematuria, and bronchial bleeding. The patient was transfused with PlA1-negative single-donor apheresis platelets (from four different donors) on four occasions. The first transfusion resulted in a 1-hour posttransfusion increment of 57 x 10(9) per L. The use of two additional PlA1-negative apheresis platelets provided support for a tracheostomy. Bronchial bleeding leading to respiratory arrest was controlled with a fourth transfusion. All PlA1-negative platelet transfusions resulted in transient increases in the patient's platelet count. This is the first reported case of repeated, transiently effective transfusion of PlA1-negative platelets demonstrated during the acute phase of thrombocytopenia.
Brecher
M E
ME
Section of Transfusion Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Moore
S B
SB
Letendre
L
L
D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039661:Integrin beta3; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011693:Purpura / Q000209:etiology*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet; C061248:ITGB3 protein, human; D039661:Integrin beta3; D007519:Isoantigens