Failure of autologous stem cell transplantation in refractory thrombocytopenic purpura

A 44-year-old man with splenectomised refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) of 10 years' duration underwent an autologous, T cell-depleted marrow transplant following conditioning with thiotepa and CY. There was no response to the transplant procedure. This is the fourth case in the literature to show failure following autologous stem cell transplantation, although complete, steroid-independent remissions were obtained in the first two patients for over 1 year.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: understanding a disease no longer rare

Serial studies of plasma samples from patients during episodes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) have often shown either the presence of unusually large (UL) von Willebrand factor (vWf) multimers or, alternatively, absence of the largest plasma vWf forms. The presence of ULvWf multimers in TTP patient plasma may reflect impaired processing of the ULvWf forms released from endothelial cells. The disappearance of ULvWf and large vWf multimers in some TTP patient plasma samples during acute TTP episodes may be predominantly because these ULvWf forms, along with the largest vWf multimers, bind to platelets and cause aggregation. Serial flow cytometry studies of EDTA-whole blood samples from patients with initial episode, intermittent, and chronic relapsing types of TTP confirm that vWf is the likely aggregating agent, perhaps in association with fluid shear stress. The amount of vWf bound to single platelets has been found to be significantly increased during TTP relapses relative to remission periods in patients with all types of TTP. A substance in normal platelet-poor plasma and the cryoprecipitate-depleted fraction of normal plasma (cryosupernatant) is capable in vitro of reversibly reducing the size of ULvWf multimeric forms released by endothelial cells into the somewhat smaller vWf multimers ordinarily in circulation. This activity has characteristics of a limited disulfide bond reductase. The process of ULvWf breakdown may be made irreversible by the tandem proteolysis, catalyzed by a vWf metalloproteinase, of partially reduced vWf multimers. Several patients with chronic relapsing TTP have decreased or absent plasma vWf metalloproteinase activity, apparently on a congenital basis. Adult initial episode and intermittent TTP patients have been found to have vWf metalloproteinase activity inhibited by an autoantibody during, but not after, TTP epidsodes.

Oral histoplasmosis: a case report

We report a case of biopsy-proven histoplasmosis in an 81-year-old man with mouth ulcers. The initial infection was probably contracted whilst he was a prisoner of war in Sumatra, and was reactivated during intercurrent illness with congestive cardiac failure and oral corticosteroid treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura. Of particular note is the latent period of 50 years, and a positive cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (cANCA) titre.

Clinical and laboratoristic remission after cryosupernatant plasma exchange in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

We describe a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) resistant to conventional therapy with fresh-frozen plasma (FFP)-plasma exchange (PEX) as well as to steroids, immunoglobulins, vincristine, dipyridamole, dextran and iloprost, achieving complete remission with cryosupernatant-plasma exchange. Our case shows the effectiveness of cryosupernatant PEX, when FFP-PEX and alternative therapies have failed.

The fetal and neonatal consequences of maternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

Alloimmune thrombocytopenia is a relatively common and under-recognized entity. Prospective screening studies have suggested that at least 1 in every 1000 babies will be affected. While the severity of prospectively identified neonates is not as great as those 'routinely' identified as newborns, the incidence of intracranial haemorrhage in the fetus and neonate is the highest for any immune thrombocytopenia. Diagnosis is complex for the laboratory in view of the large number of platelet antigens and the importance of having sufficient numbers of typed controls. The importance of identifying the affected newborn extends to the likely need for antenatal management of the subsequent affected fetus. Studies to determine the optimal approach to this problem are ongoing. Ideally, prenatal screening of all pregnant women could be performed but this is not currently in practice.

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia associated with anti-human platelet antigen-3a antibody

A sister and brother with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (NAITP) caused by maternal anti-human platelet antigen (HPA)-3a are reported. The children had transient severe thrombocytopenia in the newborn period, and were treated with intravenous gamma-globulin and platelet concentrates from random donors. Although the sister had intracranial hemorrhage on day 2 postnatally, the development of the child has been normal and no neurological sequelae have been observed. The brother only had bloody stool when the platelet count was low, and did not have severe hemorrhagic manifestations. The diagnosis of NAITP was made by the sera from the mother, which contained anti-HPA-3a antibody directed against platelets of the children. The rate of recurrence might be high in this family, because the father of the patients was found to be homozygous for the HPA-3a gene.

Safety and efficacy of low-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) treatment for infants and children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Low-Dose IVIG Study Group

PURPOSE

This report presents pooled data from two multicenter studies conducted to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerance of lower-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) regimens of 250 mg/kg/day, 400 mg/kg/day, and 500 mg/kg/day for 2 days, compared to an established higher-dose regimen of 1 g/kg/day for 2 days, in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 24 children received IVIG (Gammar i.v.). In Study 1, 10 centers enrolled 12 children between 5 and 12 years old who received IVIG at either 400 mg/kg/day or 1 g/kg/day for 2 days. In Study 2, five centers enrolled 12 infants and children younger than 5 years old who received IVIG at 250 mg/kg/day or 500 mg/kg/day for 2 days. Both studies were prospective and randomized.

RESULTS

IVIG treatment was effective (platelets increased at least 30,000/cu mm over baseline) in 94% (16 of 17) of the evaluable patients in the low-dosage group. Platelet increases occurred rapidly: by 48 hours, total platelet counts ranged from 32,000/cu mm to 256,000/cu mm, and peak platelet counts reached 38,000/cu mm to 551,000/cu mm. Adverse events (AEs) were most often mild, lasted less than 3 hours, and were usually those typically associated with immunoglobulin administration-headache, nausea, vomiting, and fever. There were two serious AEs-an anaphylactoid reaction in one patient in the 400 mg/kg group and aseptic meningitis in one patient in the 1 g/kg high-dosage group. Both patients recovered without sequelae and were responders. Although the incidence of AEs varied by dosage groups, this difference was not significant. However, the incidence of AEs was affected by age. AEs were significantly lower in patients younger than 5 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small, randomized trial, low-dose IVIG in 2-day regimens of 250, 400, or 500 mg/kg/day rapidly reversed thrombocytopenia just as effectively as 1 g/kg/day in infants and young children with ITP. Lower-dosage regimens are safe and well-tolerated; the incidence of AEs is lower in children younger than 5 years of age.

Intravenous anti-D treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura: experience in 272 patients

We report the results of intravenous anti-D (WinRho, WinRho SD) therapy in 261 non-splenectomized patients treated at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center over the period from 1987 to 1994. Children (n = 124) and adult patients (n = 137) with classic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP; n = 156) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related thrombocytopenia (n = 105) and acute (n = 75) or chronic (n = 186) disease at the time of the initial anti-D treatment were studied. In addition, 11 previously splenectomized patients were treated as a separate group. Our objectives were to evaluate the following. (1) Efficacy of anti-D: The response after the initial infusion was analyzed according to clinical parameters, such as patient's age, HIV status, gender, disease duration, pretreatment platelet count, and hemoglobin value, as well as treatment-related factors, including the dose of anti-D, the solvent detergent treatment of the preparation, and the type of administration. (2) Use of anti-D as maintenance therapy: The duration of response after the initial infusion and the results of subsequent treatments were evaluated. (3) Safety/toxicity of anti-D: Postinfusion reactions and hemoglobin decrease after treatment were studied. Anti-D is a safe treatment providing a hemostatic platelet increase in greater than 70% of the Rh+ non-splenectomized patients. The group with the best results is HIV- children, but all patient groups respond and the effect lasts more than 21 days in 50% of the responders. Duration of response is not influenced by HIV status; furthermore, HIV+ patients show no adverse effects on hemoglobin decrease or HIV disease progression. Patients with chronic ITP after splenectomy have minimal or no response to intravenous anti-D.

Rapid progression of acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia to aplastic anemia

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia is a rare disorder characterized by severe thrombocytopenia and selective, marked decrease or absence of megakaryocytes. Although immunosuppressive therapy (prednisone and/or antithymocyte globulin) has been shown to induce remissions in a subset of patients, most patients do not respond, and progression to aplastic anemia occurs in some cases. We report a case of acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia which, despite aggressive immunosuppressive treatment, rapidly progressed to aplastic anemia. Clinical, laboratory, and immunologic features of our patient's case are described and compared to those of the previously reported six cases that progressed from amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia to aplastic anemia.

Thrombocytopenic purpura. Importance of early diagnosis

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome are important diagnostic considerations for family physicians because therapy can be lifesaving. Treatment with plasmapheresis is usually successful. Therefore, early diagnosis is essential. A patient with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is described. Diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease was confirmed after the initial episode. The case highlights the important role of family physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of uncommon hematologic syndromes.

Fatal autoimmune pancytopenia following bone marrow transplantation for aplastic anaemia

We report a case of autoimmune pancytopenia 10 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for severe aplastic anaemia (SAA). The autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy which included steroids, azathioprine, vincristine and intravenous immunoglobulin. Splenectomy led to a recovery of the thrombocytopenia but the haemolysis continued despite further immunosuppressive therapy. Four months after the onset of haemolysis granulocyte-specific antibodies were detected. The patient subsequently received total lymph node irradiation (TLI) with a peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) from his original donor, but died 9 days later from cerebral aspergillosis. The severe nature of autoimmune cytopenias and their lack of response to conventional treatment following allogeneic BMT is discussed further.

Therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin G (ivIgG) during pregnancy for fetal alloimmune (HPA-1a(Zwa)) thrombocytopenic purpura

We have evaluated the effect of maternal intravenous immunoglobulin G (ivIgG) treatment on platelet counts in fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. Seven patients were studied. All of them were multiparous women who had been immunized against the HPA-1a antigen during previous pregnancies and had given birth to at least one severely thrombocytopenic infant. In this study, umbilical blood collection was performed first at the 20th week of gestation and repeated 2-13 times (mean 6 times), depending on the degree of fetal thrombocytopenia. Fetal platelet counting was combined with intrauterine transfusion of 20-30 ml of HPA-1a-negative platelet concentrates to prevent bleeding following umbilical cord puncture. Initial fetal platelet counts ranged from 10,000 to 91,000 per microliters. Maternal treatment with ivIgG (1 g per kg body weight; mean dose 70 g) was given once a week over 7 weeks. In five of seven cases, the basal platelet count did not rise and in two of these cases, it decreased during maternal ivIgG treatment. In one fetus, the baseline platelet count increased from 10,000 to 35,000 per microliters during ivIgG, and in another fetus from 23,000 to 64,000 per microliters. Our observations suggest that ivIgG has no definite benefit for fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. Since platelet counts can be very low, careful fetal monitoring by umbilical blood sampling is required. Frequent platelet transfusions in short intervals may be necessary to increase platelet counts in extremely thrombocytopenic fetuses.

Role of plasmapheresis in thrombocytopenic purpura associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

A 67-year-old man with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia had a relapse of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), which had been refractory to corticosteroids, splenectomy, vinca alkaloids, and high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin therapy. A biclonal gammopathy (IgM kappa and IgG lambda) was detected in his serum and was likely responsible for his refractory thrombocytopenia. He was treated with chlorambucil and prednisone. Plasmapheresis was effective in temporarily maintaining platelet counts and in decreasing morbidity until immunosuppression was completely effective against the production of the monoclonal protein. The previously reported experiences with use of plasmapheresis in patients with chronic ITP are discussed. Plasmapheresis may be of value in the treatment of selected patients with severe ITP and monoclonal gammopathy.

Monoclonal antibody 197 (anti-Fc gamma RI) infusion in a patient with immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) results in down-modulation of Fc gamma RI on circulating monocytes

A 44-year old woman with refractory immune thrombocytopenia purpura was treated with the murine monoclonal antibody 197 in a phase 1 trial. It vitro studies have demonstrated that the monoclonal antibody 197 (subclass IgG2a) binds to two distinct epitopes of Fc gamma RI, with the constant domain binding to the Fc-binding portion of the Fc gamma RI and the variable domain binding to a different epitope, resulting in crosslinking and modulation of this receptor. The monoclonal antibody 197 was administered on days 1, 3 and 5 at doses of 0.25 mg/kg, 0.35 mg/kg and 0.45 mg/kg, respectively. The fusions were well tolerated with transient facial flushing, and wheal-and-flare rash during the first infusion, which resolved with a slower infusion rate and the administration of diphenhydramine and acetaminophen. Although a marked clinical improvement did occur with resolution of oral ecchymoses and epistaxis after the first mAb infusion, the initial platelet count of 6 x 10(9)/I did not change appreciable over the 5 d course of monoclonal antibody treatment. Binding of fluorescein-labelled monoclonal antibody 197 to peripheral monocytes showed a rapid and persistently decreased mean fluorescein intensity, indicated binding of administered 197 to the monocytes in vivo. Indirect staining for FcgammaRI using fluorescein-labelled goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin was also decreased, suggesting modulation of the receptor. The patient experienced monocytopenia which persisted throughout the 5 d of monoclonal antibody 197 therapy, but reversed following institution of intravenous IgG. These data indicate that intravenous monoclonal antibody 197 induces specific down-modulation of Fc gamma RI expression on monocytes.

Case report: post-transfusion purpura

Post-transfusion purpura (PTP) is a rare disorder characterized by the abrupt onset of severe thrombocytopenia following a blood transfusion. We describe a case of PTP in a patient treated with plasmapheresis, noting that this is an uncommon but treatable disease entity.