Vnitr Lek 2005, 51(7-8):881-885

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemias

J. Čermák

Ústav hematologie a krevní transfuze, Praha, ředitel prof. MUDr. Pavel Klener, DrSc.

Immune hemolytic anemia results from a dysregulation of cooperation between T- and B-lymphocytes in a process of "self tolerance" of autologous antigens. Antibodies of IgG-subtype lead to the hemolysis at 37 °C which is mainly extravascular, an optimal temperature for hemolysis of IgM subtype antibodies is 4 °C and the hemolysis may have either intravascular or extravascular character. The agent evoking hemolysis is often undetectable, a part of immune hemolytic anemias may occur as a secondary disease in the course of infections, inflammations, autoimmune disorders or tumors. An antiglobulin test represents an essential tool for diagnosis of immune hemolytic anemia; the patients are mostly treated with corticosteroids as a single agent or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents (cyclophosphamide, cyclosprorin A). New treatment approaches (eg. i.v. immunoglobulins or rituximab) are indicated in patients resistant to conventional treatment. Severe hemolytic anemia represents a life threatening disease requesting a complex treatment at the intensive care unit.

Keywords: anemia; hemolytic; immune; diagnosis; treatment; immunosuppression

Received: March 14, 2005; Accepted: March 14, 2005; Published: July 1, 2005  Show citation