Clinical effect of intravenous immunoglobulin on chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

High dose immunoglobulin infusions showed a marked effect on platelet counts in eight out of nine chronic ITP patients and in one SLE patient. In the comparison of different IgG-preparations, the pepsin treated IgG F (ab')2 showed no platelet elevation while the sulfonated did. The elevated platelet count could not be maintained after discontinuation of IgG infusions, but in six out of ten patients the platelet level remained above the pretreatment values. This new treatment seems to be safe and effective in adulthood ITP.