The kinetics of unmatched and HLA-matched 111in-labelled homologous platelets in recipients with chronic marrow hypoplasia and anti-platelet immunity.

The kinetics of homologous platelets, labelled in plasma with 111In-tropolonate, have been studied in five recipients with chronic marrow hypoplasia and severe thrombocytopenia, who were refractory to platelet transfusions as a result of alloimmunization. Mean platelet life span (MPLS), recovery, plasma 111In level and splenic and hepatic uptake kinetics were studied on two occasions, one using HLA-matched platelets and the other unmatched platelets. In each case, recovery of labelled platelets at 1 h post-injection and MPLS improved with HLA matching, although this improvement was highly variable. Only two of the five subjects would have derived any significant benefit from HLA-matched as compared with unmatched platelet transfusions. It was concluded that the need exists for additional cross-matching procedures, possibly related to platelet specific antigens, in patients who remain refractory to platelet transfusion.