Immunoglobulin class heterogeneity of platelet alloantibodies

The immunoglobulin classes of platelet alloantibodies were studied using monospecific antisera in a radiolabeled technique. 14 of 28 consecutively studied multiply transfused oncology patients demonstrated platelet antibodies. These 14 patients were also refractory to random donor platelets. The immunoglobulin classes of these platelet antibodies were found to be: IgG alone 4, IgM alone 4, IgG and IgM 5, IgM plus IgA1. The results in this study suggest that using monospecific antisera other than anti-IgG alone, one can detect additional antibodies involved in the immune destruction of platelets.