title: Comparison of thrombopoiesis during ITP and HIV-ITP and response to intravenous gammaglobulin treatment.
abstract: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura's diagnosis (ITP) is based on low platelet count and exclusion of clinical conditions rather than a specific diagnostic test. We used the reticulated platelet (RP) assay to study ITP and thrombocytopenia associated with HIV infection (HIV-ITP). Data from 96 ITP and 23 HIV-ITP patients showed low platelet counts (PC) with both high or low %RP suggesting that individuals have different degrees of thrombopoiesis. About 20% of ITP and 46% of HIV-ITP patients had %RP in the 'low' or 'normal' ranges. Grouped by platelet count <30x10(9)/L, 24% ITP and 36% HIV-ITP patients had 'low' to 'normal' %RP. The patient population did not show correlation between PC and %RP, but individuals showed an inverse relationship. Within a week of receiving IVIG, 18 ITP and 9 HIV-ITP patients' PC increased, %RP decreased. Patients with %RP measured within 24 h of IVIG treatment had lower %RP than expected, suggesting dilution by an older platelet population. ITP and HIV-ITP patients' responses to i.v. gammaglobulins were similar. Thrombopoietin levels of ITP patients did not correlate with PC, %RP, or RP count. Estimation of thrombopoiesis by RP assay provides useful information for differentiation among thrombocytopenias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada. missa@unixg.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Maria I C
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gyongyossy-Issa
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bussel
authors.forename: Cedric J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Dana V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Devine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D034061:Thrombopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D013926:Thrombopoietin