High-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Post-Transfusion Purpura

Abstract

To the Editor: Intravenous immunoglobulin has recently been shown to be effective in treating autoimmune thrombocytopenia (May 27 issue)^{1 , 2} and autoimmune neutropenia (July 22 issue).³ Another rare but well-defined, immunologically mediated thrombocytopenia is the syndrome of post-transfusion purpura,⁴ approximately 40 to 50 cases of which have been documented. Thrombocytopenia is usually persistent, and bleeding can be life-threatening. Plasma exchange may be effective, but no other mode of treatment is of established value.⁵ We recently observed a case of documented post-transfusion purpura in which intravenous immunoglobulin immediately reversed the thrombocytopenia.The patient, a 36-year-old white woman, presented in March 1981 with . . .