Platelet antigens in varicella associated thrombocytopenia.

Serum IgG or, predominantly, IgM antibody binding to electrophoretically separated normal platelet membrane protein antigens were detected by immunoblotting in five children with thrombocytopenia associated with varicella. Glycoproteins GPIb, GPIIb, GPIIIa, and other 25-260 kilodalton (kDa) proteins were identified as target antigens, suggesting a transient autoimmune mechanism causing the thrombocytopenia.