Response to therapy in 37 patients with HIV-related thrombocytopenic purpura

Thirty-seven patients belonging to the major AIDS-risk groups and with serum antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), were evaluated and treated between 1983 and 1986 because of profound chronic thrombocytopenia with clinical bleeding. Fifteen out of 26 patients achieved a significant response while on prednisone therapy. Six of them sustained their platelet count above 50 x 10(9)/1 following cessation of steroids. High dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy gave a satisfactory initial response rate in 12 of 17 patients. Only two of 18 patients responded to danazol. Splenectomy was successful in 10 of 14 patients.