Prolongation of platelet survival in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura by high-dose intravenous gamma globulin.

The mechanism of the increase of platelet counts after the intravenous injection of high dose gammaglobulin was evaluated by measuring platelet survival before and after the injection. The platelet survival after treatment prolonged more significantly than that before treatment. There was no evidence of platelet release from bone marrow to peripheral blood. These findings might suggest the inhibition of platelet destruction by transient blockade of reticuloendothelial system.