1986. Therapy of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults.
Chronic ITP is a common hematologic illness. Approximately three fourths of the patients respond to corticosteroids or splenectomy and need no further treatment. Patients refractory to these two therapeutic approaches are relatively resistant to present forms of treatment and are at much greater risk for morbidity and mortality. Future clinical studies evaluating therapy in this refractory group would be best performed in a cooperative group setting in which large numbers of patients could be treated in a prospective randomized manner.
1990. Malaria and red cell genetic defects.
The study of inherited RBC resistance to malaria has increased our knowledge of the biochemistry and physiology of the host-parasite interaction and suggested potential sites for therapeutic intervention. Discovery by Jensen and Trager of the in vitro culture system for P falciparum has facilitated research in this area. Known RBC defects may affect invasion, growth, or merozoite liberation (Fig 1). Significant advances made in understanding mechanisms underlying protection against malaria should not obscure the fact that the data are far from complete. More knowledge is needed about the influence of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton on invasion and growth of parasites as well as the potential role of phospholipids, erythrocyte enzymes other than G6PD, or other metabolic products. Application of DNA analysis and recombinant technology may have an increasing impact on study of the interaction of RBC defects with malarial parasites.
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