Immune/Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Another type of immune mediated disorder is immune/idiopathic
thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a bleeding disorder that often causes purple
bruises on the skin but also may cause life threatening bleeding, e.g. in the
brain.
To understand ITP, it’s best to define each of the terms that make up its
name. Immune means that the condition is caused by the immune system,
which normally defends our body against infection. In the case of ITP, the
immune system mistakenly attacks certain cells in a persons' own blood.
Thrombocytopenic indicates that the illness is related to low levels of
thrombocytes, also called platelets, which are cells in our blood that help stop
bleeding, resulting from the attack of the immune system. And purpura
refers to the purplish-looking areas of the skin where bleeding has
occurred.
There are two forms of ITP: acute, which occurs most commonly in children and
lasts for less than six months; and chronic, which generally strikes adults
between the ages of 20 and 40. Chronic ITP lasts longer than six months, as
patients suffer from repeated bleeding attacks (relapses).
Immunoglobulin therapy is used as a treatment to elevate platelet counts in
order to help control bleeding.
For more information on the ZLB Behring product that treats this
condition, please click on the link below.
Carimune® NF
Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)
Warning: Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) (IGIV) products have been reported to be associated with renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, osmotic nephrosis, and death. See boxed warning and the PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section of
Full prescribing information for Carimune® NF
for important information intended to reduce the risk of acute renal failure.
For your convenience, below are links to other sites you may find helpful
for expanding your understanding of immune/idiopathic thrombocytopenic
purpura.
Platelet Disorder Support
Association (www.itppeople.com/)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease
(www.niddk.nih.gov/health/hematol/pubs/itp/itp.htm)
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, National Immunization Program (www.cdc.gov/nip/)
National Institutes of Health
(www.health.nih.gov)
National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (www.niaid.nih.gov)
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and
Immunology (www.aaaai.org)
National Organization for Rare
Disorders (www.rarediseases.org)