SERUM LEVELS OF GM-CSF ARE ELEVATED IN PATIENTS WITH THROMBOCYTOPENIA

Serum levels of GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-6 were measured in patients with i mmune thrombocytopenia (ITP), non-immune thrombocytopenia (NIT), autoi mmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and neutropenia. 8/10 children with IT P had elevated serum levels of GM-CSF (mean 18.4 pg/ml) while thromboc ytopenic, but only two had detectable levels (mean 4.5 pg/ml) after no rmalization of the platelet count. In patients with NIT a significant inverse correlation between platelet count and serum levels of Gh-CSF was observed. IL-3 and IL-6 levels were not significantly elevated in thrombocytopenic patients and only two Of the nine patients with eithe r AIHA or neutropenia had detectable levels of GM-CSF. Thus, GM-CSF ma y play a role in the response to severe thrombocytopenia.