Posttransfusional immunologic thrombocytopenia. A case report

A case of posttransfusional immunologic thrombocytopenia is reported in a 75-year-od PlA1-negative woman. This was the second episode of postoperative and posttransfusion thrombocytopenia in the same patient who had had only one pregnancy. Both thrombocytopenic episodes were subclinical and discovered by systematical hematologic study. A potent anti-PlA1-antibody (titer 1/128) was demonstrated by the platelet-indirect radioactive Coombs test which appeared more sensitive than other platelet immunological assays used. The very long duration of the thrombocytopenia is discussed as well as the therapeutic possibilities in such cases.