The immune thrombocytopenia syndrome: a disorder of diverse pathogenesis and clinical presentation.

This article presents a brief history of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) from the first clinical description written in 1735, through years of controversy about the nature and causes of what was first known as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, then immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and, finally, ITP. Current understanding of ITP's primary and secondary forms and the effect of diverse defects in immune self tolerance that result in the development of antiplatelet antibodies is described. This overview is followed by a narrative list of other articles in this issue on topics ranging from a comprehensive review of the role of antiplatelet antibodies in platelet destruction and production to a review of classic treatment modalities and newer approaches to initial treatment.