Acquired immune cytopenias post-cardiac transplantation respond to rituximab

Abstract

Hematologic abnormalities following solid organ transplantation are infrequently autoimmune in origin. We present a series of autoimmune cytopenias developing as a late complication of pediatric cardiac transplantation. Autoimmune cytopenias represented include autoimmune hemolytic anemia, acquired Glanzmann thrombasthenia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Standard therapies were used in each patient without sustainable results. Eventually, each patient was treated with and responded to rituximab. In this report, we review these cases, propose potential mechanisms for development of autoimmune cytopenias, and discuss our experience with rituximab in managing refractory autoimmune cytopenias. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.