title: Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura--immunological analyses of a patient pre- and post-HIV seroconversion.
abstract: A seven year follow-up of immune parameters is reported for a patient with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) pre and post human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion. Therapies such as intravenous IgG, prednisone, vincristine, or Ciclosporin A had no clear-cut beneficial effect on platelet counts. A long-term normalization of platelet counts was achieved by splenectomy. At splenectomy the patient was seropositive for HIV, most likely transmitted by blood products received half a year prior to laparatomy. Mean plasma levels of the second component of complement, C2, were half of the normal values prior to and within the lowest normal range post HIV seroconversion. Nevertheless, the T cell-dependent B cell response to HIV, which is dependent on the activation of C3 via the classical pathway of complement, was normal: Western blot analysis of total IgG and of IgG subclass responses to individual HIV antigens proved to be unimpaired.
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Berne.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Späth
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elisa
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bühlmann
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luginbühl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Imbach
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003175:Complement C2 / Q000378:metabolism; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000276:immunology*; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003175:Complement C2; D003181:Complement C4