A fatal case of autoimmune thrombocytopenia with an IgM anti-GPIb/IX following one antigen mismatched unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation

We report the case of a 32-year-old patient with ALL who developed autoimmu ne thrombocytopenia 2 months following allogeneic bone marrow transplantati on. An IgM autoantibody against the platelet glycoprotein Ib/IX complex was observed. Treatment with high-dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin G failed to produce any benefit and the thrombocytopenia led to fatal gast rointestinal haemorrhage. The possible factors contributing to post-allogra ft thrombocytopenia and potential management strategies are discussed.