Posttransfusion purpura associated with alloantibody specific for the platelet antigen, Pen(a)

Posttransfusion purpura (PTP) and severe thrombocytopenia occurred 9 days after transfusion of red blood cells to a 48-year-old, multiparous Navajo woman. The platelet count rose to hemostatic levels after treatment with prednisone and three plasma exchange transfusions. Serologic studies showed that the patient's serum contained the potent antibody reactive with platelets from nearly all normal subjects, but nonreactive with autologous platelets obtained after recovery. This antibody was found to be specific for a high-frequency, platelet-specific antigen, designated Pen(a),implicated previously as an immunogen in neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. An exchange of serum showed that Pena is identical with an alloantigen designated Yuk(b) by Japanese workers. We conclude that PTP can occur in association with alloimmunization against Pen(a) (Yuk(b).