The importance of platelet antigens and antibodies in immune-mediated thrombocytopenia

Platelet antigens/antibodies play an important role in immune mediated‐thrombocytopenia. Here, we review the clinical conditions associated with anti‐platelet alloantibodies, giving special emphasis to the differences in human platelet antigen (HPA) frequency distribution between Caucasian and Asian populations. Also, we describe the presently available methods for the detection of anti‐platelet alloantibodies, and the activities of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Platelet Immunology Working Parties, which play an active role in the exchange of information and materials among the labs involved in platelet immunobiology research worldwide, and have significantly contributed for the development of this field.