ATGAM ASSOCIATED COAGULOPATHY IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS - A REPORTOF 2 UNUSUAL CASES

Polyclonal antibodies, used for both induction and rejection therapy i n renal transplant recipients, are associated with such side effects a s chills and fever. We describe two patients who developed a coagulopa thy during antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM) therapy, a previously unknow n complication. The laboratory tests revealed prolonged prothrombin an d partial thromboplastin times and thrombocytopenia. Discontinuation o f ATGAM therapy resulted in correction of these abnormalities.