Lymphocyte subpopulations and immunoglobulins in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Data gained from observations of the humoral and cellular immunity of 22 patients with ITP (11 in remission and 11 splenectomised) are presented. The amount of T-lymphocytes according to E-rosetting decreased significantly. In tests performed with monoclonal sera the amount of OKT-4 cells was significantly lower then normal, and the ratio of OKT-4/OKT-8 was also reduced. The C-4 complement fraction showed a significant reduction, and a rise was observed in the three Ig classes. No differences could be found, however, between patients in remission and in relapse, and between the splenectomised cases, those treated with prednisolone, and those who had no such treatment. Apart from the primary role of antiplatelet antibodies that cause thrombopenia, a complex disturbance in immune regulation also occurred in ITP, and this manifested with changes in the T-lymphocyte subpopulations. Its pathological progress still remains to be justified, but the plasma of healthy individuals and gammaglobulin have a favorable effect by blocking their receptors and they result in the cessation of the symptom and thrombocytopenia.