Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia: report of a case and review of literature.

We describe a 55-year-old female with acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia who has been successfully treated with antithymocyte globulin. In-vitro studies assessing megakaryocytopoiesis in the presence of the patient's plasma and peripheral blood adherent cells showed normal or increased stimulation. This patient brings to 30 the number of adult cases of acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia now reported in the English literature. Review of this material suggests that it may be more common than has been appreciated. Several pathogenic mechanisms, especially immune mechanisms, have been identified; good, sustained remissions have been achieved in eight patients who were treated with immunosuppressive agents.