Persistent lymphocytosis of natural killer cells in autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) patients after splenectomy.
We report three patients with primary autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) who developed an absolute lymphocytosis (lymphocyte count > 5 x 10(9)/l) after splenectomy and with a lymphocyte count between 5.4 and 8.9 x 10(9)/l. An immunophenotype study showed that the peripheral blood lymphocytosis was a persistent NK cell expansion (CD2+, CD56+, CD3-), and was characterized by a typical large granular lymphocytes (LGL) morphology. Two of these three ATP patients were refractory to splenectomy.
Garcia-Suarez
J
J
Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, Universidad de Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
Prieto
A
A
Reyes
E
E
Arribalzaga
K
K
Perez-Machado
M A
MA
Lopez-Rubio
M
M
Manzano
L
L
Alvarez-Mon
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000473:pathology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*