Elevated Platelet-Associated IgG in the Thrombocytopenia of Septicemia

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Abstract
The mechanism of thrombocytopenia, a frequent complication of septicemia, is obscure, but indirect evidence suggests that the immune system may be involved. To investigate this possibility, we quantitated platelet-associated IgG on platelets obtained from 44 patients during 46 episodes of septicemia. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 21 of 46 episodes (46 per cent). Platelet-associated IgG was elevated in eight of 11 episodes of gram-negative septicemia and thrombocytopenia (47.3±11.7 fg of IgG per platelet [mean ± S.E.]) and in one of 20 patients with gram-negative septicemia and normal platelet counts (5.9±1.1) (P<0.001). Elevated levels occurred in eight of 10 patients with gram-positive septicemia and thrombocytopenia (55.3±14.7 fg of IgG per platelet) and in none of 11 patients with gram-positive septicemia and normal platelet counts (5.6±1.7) (P<0.001).

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