Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Complicated with Circulating Lupus Anticoagulant

Abstract

A 37 year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of hypermenorrhea, prolonged bleeding time, thrombocytopenia and the diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was made. Though activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was markedly prolonged, her coagulation factors were within normal ranges.
Activities of the circulating lupus anticoagulant (LAC) was suggested. Kaolin clotting time of the platelet poor plasma was used as a sensitive screening test using the mixture of normal and patient's plasma for the detect of LAC.
As a result, LAC positive pattern was observed.
The treatment with high-dose gammaglobulin brought out a transient increase of the platelet count, but the prolongation of APTT was not corrected.
Both the platelet count and the prolongation of APTT were significantly improved after the treatment with betamethasone.