Quantitation of platelet-associated IgG by radial immunodiffusion

Platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) was measured by a simple radial immunodiffusion technique using washed solubilized platelets and commercially available immunoplates. Subjects with normal platelet counts had PAIgG levels of 1.5--7.0 fg/platelet. Subjects with idiopathic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) had levels ranging from 5.7 to 70.5 fg/platelet. All patients with recurrent ITP and 85% of patients with acute ITP had elevated PAIgg. Elevated PAIgG was also found in 17% of patients with recovered ITP, 40% of patients with SLE and thrombocytopenia, 57% of patients with thrombocytopenia occurring during the course of septicemia, and 100% of patients with IgG myeloma in whom the serum IgG level was clearly elevated, regardless of the platelet count. The results are similar to reports that used more complex techniques.