Detection of antiplatelet antibody in immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Two methods have been developed for the detection of antiplatelet antibodies in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The first, a competitive RIA, is highly sensitive, reproducible and allows quantitation of platelet associated immunoglobulins (PAI) and specifically adsorbed antiplatelet antibodies from serum of patients with ITP. The second procedure developed is a simple and rapid qualitative test, where antiplatelet antibodies are detected through the formation of rosettes of protein A producing Staphylococcus aureus with sensitized human platelets.