Immune Complexes in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Excerpt

To the editor: We read with interest the recent case report of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura by Ansell, Beaser, and Pechet (1) in the November 1978 issue, and we concur with their recommendation to use exchange transfusion as the primary mode of therapy. One theory proposed to explain the efficacy of exchange transfusion in this syndrome is that the exchange is a means of clearing circulating immune complexes that are responsible for the manifestations of the disease. To date, it has not been possible, however, to identify immune complexes in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura except when the syndrome has been associated with