[Autoimmune thrombocytopenia in the course of hemoblastosis]

The results of an investigation on platelet antibodies by thromboagglutination and antiglobulin consumption test (AGCT) in 51 patients with different types of hemoblastoses (acute and chronic leukemias, Hodgkin disease, lymphosarcoma) are reported. Complete and/or incomplete antibodies were found in 50,9% of the cases, with lymphoid forms showing the highest frequency. Although a constant relation between thrombocytopenia and platelet antibodies is by no means demonstrable, four fully descirbed cases clearly show and the onset of autoimmune thrombocytopenia in the course of hemoblastoses. Two chronic myeloid leukemia cases treated with Myleran and one chronic lymphoid leukemia case presented thrombocytopenic purpura and normal number of megakaryocytes. One case of lymphosarcoma presented thrombocytopenia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia with bone marrow aplasia. Steroid therapy had been partially effective only in two cases. The pathogenetic relationship between platelet immunization and hemoblastoses and cytostatic therapy is discussed.