Abstract
Background and objectives: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is rarely caused by IgM warm autoantibodies, and is sometimes difficult to diagnose. We describe three patients with severe AIHA caused by IgM warm autoantibodies; in two of the three, the hemolysis was fatal. Materials and methods: Conventional hematologic and serologic procedures were used. Results: The IgM autoantibodies in all three cases were directed against determinants on or associated with glycophorin A (Ena, Wrb, and Pr). The IgM autoantibodies had unusual serological characteristics, in that the agglutinins were detected or greatly enhanced only by the presence of albumin or a low pH, and/or the agglutinins reacted optimally at 20-30°C. Conclusions: IgM warm autoantibodies directed at determinants on or associated with glycophorin A appear to cause severe (often fatal) hemolytic anemia.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 124-130 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Vox Sanguinis |
Volume | 72 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1997 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Hematology