Treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in homosexual men

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Abstract
Over the past 3 yr we have treated 6 homosexual men (age 22–55 yr) with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. 4 of the 6 have antibody to HTLV‐III in their serum, 1 of these patients has the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), 1 has AIDS‐related‐complex (ARC), and a 3rd has persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (PGL). The platelet count at presentation was between 2 and 35 times 109/1 and in each case a bone marrow confirmed active platelet production. Antiplatelet antibodies were demonstrated in 3 of 4 patients tested. 3 of the 6 patients showed a partial response to prednisolone, 2 showed little or no response and the 6th showed a good response. 2 patients received high dose i.v. immunoglobulin ‐ 1 had an excellent response prior to splenectomy, the other showed no response. 5 of the 6 patients had a splenectomy. 3 had a lasting remission (12–27 months after splencctomy), 1 of these has HTLV‐III antibodies; 1 had a remission lasting 1 yr, followed by fluctuating thrombocytopenia (21–130 × 109/1) and 1 showed no response.