Improvement of post platelet transfusion increments following intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for leukaemic HLA-immunized patients.

3 patients with acute leukaemia, HLA antibodies and thrombocytopenia refractory to random donor platelet transfusions were treated with high-dose i.v. immunoglobulin. All 3 patients responded favourably with improved post-transfusion recovery of random platelets. In 1 patient, the recovery of transfused histocompatible platelets was also enhanced. Treatment was followed by reduction in the total lymphocyte count and marked changes in lymphocyte subsets in 1 patient.