title: The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (endobulin) in patients with immune thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Six adults were treated for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (ENDOBULIN). Five patients were evaluable. In four patients the platelet associated IgG (PAIgG) levels were increased. All four responded to i.v. Ig and two subsequently underwent splenectomy. One patient had normal PAIgG and had no response to i.v. Ig. Endobulin is useful in the treatment of chronic ITP and is followed in some patients by a prolonged response. High levels of PAIgG may predict a favourable outcome.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins