Pseudo Glanzmann's disease occurring in the course of auto-immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Introduction. - Auto-immune thrombocytopenic purpura is associated with pla telet anti-glycoprotein antibodies, particularly with anti-GPIIb/IIIa compl ex. Persistence of these antibodies sometimes leads to acquired auto-immune thrombopathy. Exegesis, - We report the case of a woman treated by splenectomy for auto-i mmune thrombocytopenic purpura, who developed 5 years later an ecchymotic s yndrome despite normal platelet count. High bleeding time and platelet aggr egation defect in vitro were evidenced. Following the initial thrombocytope nia, anti-glycoproteins GPIIb/IIIa with lupus anticoagulant and benign mono clonal gammapathy were noticed Platelet controls showed that hypoaggregant activity was secondary to the persistence of anti-GPIIb/IIa antibodies. Conclusion. - This acquired auto-immune thrombopathy simulating Glanzmann's thrombasthenia was secondary to the persistence of platelet anti-glycoprot eins GPIIb/IIIa. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.