Antiplatelet antibodies in chronic immune thrombocytopenia and their role in platelet destruction and defective platelet production.

Chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder manifested by immune-mediated platelet destruction and suppression of platelet production. Chronic ITP characteristically has an insidious onset, usually requires therapy, and is most commonly seen in adults. The diagnosis of chronic ITP is one of exclusion and is based on the American Society of Hematology Guidelines: The patient's history, physical examination, and peripheral blood film must be consistent with the diagnosis and other causes of thrombocytopenia must be ruled out. This article reviews the role of antiplatelet autoantibody in adult chronic ITP.