Treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in homosexual men.

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 X 10(9)/l 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 splenectomy), 1 of these has HTLV-III antibodies; 1 had a remission lasting 1 yr, followed by fluctuating thrombocytopenia (21-130 X 10(9)/l) and 1 showed no response.