title: Treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in homosexual men.
abstract: Over the past 3 yr we have treated 6 homosexual men (age 22-55 yr) with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. 4 of the 6 have antibody to HTLV-III in their serum, 1 of these patients has the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), 1 has AIDS-related-complex (ARC), and a 3rd has persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (PGL). The platelet count at presentation was between 2 and 35 X 10(9)/l and in each case a bone marrow confirmed active platelet production. Antiplatelet antibodies were demonstrated in 3 of 4 patients tested. 3 of the 6 patients showed a partial response to prednisolone, 2 showed little or no response and the 6th showed a good response. 2 patients received high dose i.v. immunoglobulin - 1 had an excellent response prior to splenectomy, the other showed no response. 5 of the 6 patients had a splenectomy. 3 had a lasting remission (12-27 months after splenectomy), 1 of these has HTLV-III antibodies; 1 had a remission lasting 1 yr, followed by fluctuating thrombocytopenia (21-130 X 10(9)/l) and 1 showed no response.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D011239:Prednisolone