Pure red cell aplasia. Stable complete remission following antilymphocyte globulin administration

A 25-yr-old woman with idiopathic pure red cell aplasia achieved complete remission following a single 5-day course of antilymphocyte globulin at a dose of 50 mg/kg daily by intravenous injection as initial and sole therapy. Apart from transient arthralgia and asymptomatic thrombocytopenia there were no side effects. At 2 yr, the patient has normal peripheral blood, bone marrow and in vitro culture studies. This approach offers an alternative to conventional immunosuppressive therapy where there is evidence of an underlying immune disorder.