Abstract
Summary
1. Temporary, but significant thrombocytopenia was noted in 32 out of 36 individuals receiving compatible blood, plasma or serum from non-thrombocytopenic donors. No spontaneous bleeding manifestations, alterations of the various hemostatic mechanisms, changes in number or activity of the bone marrow megakaryocytes, alterations of function or morphology of the remaining platelets, agglutinating or lysing activity of the recipient's serum against normal platelets were noted. Heparinization of the recipient did not affect the thrombocytopenic effect of the transfusion of compatible plasma. 2. The thrombocytopenic effect was apparently due to a component of plasma, stable at 56°C, no absorbed by Seitz filters nor by ion-exchange resins, but absorbed on Ca3(PO4)2 gel from which it could be eluted with sodium citrate solution. Work is in progress to establish the nature, the mechanism of action of this agent, and its relation to products of platelet destruction.
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