[Immunological and rheological parallels in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura treated with antilymphocyte globulin].

When assessed in 20 patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP), immunologic and rheologic characteristics demonstrated shifts in the presence of hemorrhagic syndrome. These correlated shifts emerged upon 4-5 infusions of antilymphocytic globulin (ALG) and could contribute to the onset of hemorrhagic syndrome observed in 25% of the patients. To arrest or prevent unwanted hemorheologic and immunologic effects, 5 ATP patients received pathogenetic treatment promoting removal from the circulating blood of antithrombocytic antibodies, cell destruction products, circulating immune complexes. Plasmapheresis included as such treatment in multimodality ATP treatment led to correction of rheologic and clinico-hematologic++ alterations and eventual compensation of the disease. Plasmapheresis is proposed as monotherapy and as an adjuvant to ALG treatment of ATP.