Anti-RhD immunoglobulin in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired bleeding autoimmune disorder characterized by a markedly decreased blood platelet count. The disorder is variable, frequently having an acute onset of limited duration in children and a more chronic course in adults. A number of therapeutic agents have demonstrated efficacy in increasing the platelet counts in both children and adults. Anti-RhD immunoglobulin (anti-D) is one such agent, and has been successfully used in the setting of both acute and chronic immune thrombocytopenia. In this report we review the use of anti-D in the management of ITP. While the FDA-approved dose of 50 mg/kg has documented efficacy in increasing platelet counts in approximately 80% of children and 70% of adults, a higher dose of 75 μg/kg has been shown to result in a more rapid increase in platelet count without a greater reduction in hemoglobin. Anti-D is generally ineffective in patients who have failed splenectomy. Anti-RhD therapy has been shown capable of delaying splenectomy in adult patients, but does not significantly increase the total number of patients in whom the procedure can be avoided. Anti-D therapy appears to inhibit macrophage phagocytosis by a combination of both FcR blockade and inflammatory cytokine inhibition of platelet phagocytosis within the spleen. Anti-RhD treatment is associated with mild to moderate infusion toxicities. Rare life-threatening toxicities such as hemoglobinuria, acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation have been reported. Recommendations have been proposed to reduce the risk of these complications. Anti-D immunoglobulin can be an effective option for rapidly increasing platelet counts in patients with symptomatic ITP

Agronomic and Economic Performance Characteristics of Conventional and Low-External-Input Cropping Systems

A 22-acre field experiment was conducted in Boone, IA, from 2003–2006 to test the hypothesis that low-external-input(LEI) cropping systems can produce yields and profits that match or exceed those obtained from conventional systems. A conventionally managed 2-year rotation system [corn (Zea mays L.)/soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)] was compared with a 3-year LEI rotation system [corn/soybean/small grain + red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)], and a 4-year LEI rotation system [corn/soybean/small grain + alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)/alfalfa]. Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) was used as the small grain in 2003–2005; oat (Avena sativa L.) was used in 2006. Over the period of 2003– 2006, synthetic N fertilizer use was 59% and 74% lower in the 3- and 4-year systems, respectively, compared with the 2-year system. Similarly, herbicide use was reduced 76% and 82% in the 3- and 4-year systems

Increased microparticle tissue factor activity in cancer patients with Venous Thromboembolism

AbstractCancer patients exhibit a high rate of thromboembolism (VTE). In this study, we analyzed levels of microparticle (MP) tissue factor (TF) activity in cancer patients with or without VTE. Blood was collected from cancer patients within 24 h of objectively diagnosed VTE (n=53) and from cancer patients without VTE (n=13). MPs were isolated from platelet poor plasma by centrifugation at 20,000g for 15 min. MP TF activity was measured using a two-stage chromogenic assay. Cancer patients with VTE had a significantly higher mean MP TF activity compared with cancer patients without VTE (1.7±3.8 pg/mL vs 0.6±0.4 pg/mL,

Ethnic and racial difference in Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with immune thrombocytopenia treated at a major urban medical center

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder with a complex immunopathology and pathogenesis characterized by thrombocytopenia and bleeding manifestations. The disorder is separated into primary (idiopathic) ITP and secondary ITP, when associated with other immune or lymphoproliferative disorders and certain chronic infections. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a recognized bacterial cause of ITP. In regions with high prevalence of infection, bacterial eradication has resulted in improvement in platelet count. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infection and response to antimicrobial therapy in North American ITP patients is reportedly low. We evaluated the prevalence of H. pylori infection in ITP patients diagnosed and treated at a large urban medical center. Eighty-two patients were screened for H. pylori, by stool antigen (n = 54), H. pylori breath test (n = 11), and H. pylori antibodies (n = 16), of which 15 (18.3%) were white non-Hispanic (WNH), 55 (67%) Hispanic (H), 8 (9.8%) Asian (A), and 4 (4.9%) African-American (AA). Of the screened patients, 36/82 (43.9%) tested positive for H. pylori. The prevalence of H. pylori infection within the represented ethnic groups was 2/15 (13%) WNH, 29/55 (52.7%) H, 3/8 (37.5%) A, and 2/4 (50%) AA. There was a significant difference in prevalence of infection comparing WNH and H patients (p = 0.007). There were 36 treated patients, with H. pylori eradication documented in 26 patients. Fifteen of the 26 patients were evaluable for response with 8 of 15 (53%) having clinical responses, 6 complete responses, and 2 partial responses. Our study demonstrates an increased prevalence of H. pylori infection in the Hispanic ITP population with a reasonable platelet response among patients with H. pylori eradication