title: Efficacy and response to intravenous anti-D immunoglobulin in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: This review explored the effectiveness of anti-D in the management of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Of 16 patients, 14 non-splenectomized and two splenectomized, with chronic ITP received anti-D immunoglobulin at a dose of 50-75 mcg/kg. A total number of 100 doses anti-D were given. Fourteen patients had previous treatment with steroids, which was discontinued either because of unresponsiveness or unacceptably high maintenance doses. Two patients had no previous treatments with any modality. Anti-D was given as a short i.v. infusion whenever platelet count dropped below 30 x 10(9)/l or patient was haemorrhagic or preoperatively. Response was defined as an absolute platelet count >30 x 10(9)/l or an increment by > or =20 x 10(9)/l. Response was obtained in 14 patients with a response rate of 87%. Fifteen patients were not on any other form of treatment at the time of anti-D therapy and one patient had a concurrent steroid therapy. The improvement in platelet count lasted for more than 8 weeks post-57% of anti-D infusions. We report two patients with previous splenectomy for ITP who responded to anti-D therapy. The side-effects profile was very mild with no patients required red cell transfusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB, N. Ireland, UK. kramadan4@email.com
authors.forename: K M A
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ramadan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Agnaf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin