Mechanisms of Response to Treatment in Autoimmune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

To determine the mechanisms of an increase in the platelet count after therapy for autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, we determined the survival time and localization of Radio-labeled autologous platelets and measured platelet-associated immunoglobulin levels before and after prednisone therapy or splenectomy in 19 patients with the disease. Eleven of 12 patients (92 percent) responded to prednisone with a mean threefold increase in the platelet count, resulting from increased platelet production (P