ABSOLUTE PLATELET REFRACTORINESS ASSOCIATED WITH HLA ANTIBODIES: A CASE REPORT

Refractoriness to platelet transfusion is a complex process that can be due to a diverse array of etiologies. We report a case of refractoriness in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and the diagnostic challenge associated with it. During the course of myeloablative therapy the patient demonstrated no response to multiple sequential platelet transfusions given to prevent the onset of bleeding complications in the setting of severe thrombocytopenia. Diagnostic evaluation revealed multiple potential underlying etiologies and contributing factors, with alloimmunity to HLA antigens determined to be the most probable cause after thorough laboratory investigation.