Post-transfusion thrombocytopenic purpura: immunological and clinical studies in two cases and review of the literature.

Two patients with post-transfusion thrombocytopenic purpura are described, the first cases recognized in Austria and Germany. Both patients were female, 51 and 60 years of age. The purpura was evoked by blood transfusions with a latent period of 2 and 7 days. The thrombocytopenic episode lasted for 22 and 60 days. In one case, thrombocytopenia was associated with agranulocytosis due to transient bone marrow failure. Both patients were negative for the platelet-specific antigen PlA1 (= ZWa). Their sera contained PlA1 as well as potent HLA antibodies. Detailed clinical and serological data are presented. The literature with a total of 25 cases so far reported is surveyed.