RAPID PROGRESSION OF ACQUIRED AMEGAKARYOCYTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIA TO APLASTIC-ANEMIA

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia is a rare disorder character ized by severe thrombocytopenia and selective, marked decrease or abse nce of megakaryocytes. Although immunosuppressive therapy (prednisone and/or antithymocyte globulin) has been shown to induce remissions in a subset of patients, most patients do not respond, and progression to aplastic anemia occurs in some cases, We report a case of acquired am egakaryocytic thrombocytopenia which, despite aggressive immunosuppres sive treatment, rapidly progressed to aplastic anemia, Clinical, labor atory, and immunologic features of our patient's case are described an d compared to those of the previously reported six cases that progress ed from amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia to aplastic anemia.