Abstract

ALFONSO VALDES, María Elena et al. Characterization of adult patients presenting with autoimmune hemolytic anemia seen in Hematology and Immunology Institute. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2996.

The autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHA) are characterized by the destruction of auto-antibodies-mediated patient's erythrocytes. The autoantibodies causing the hemolytic process are classified in hot and cold depending of the optimal temperature of its in vitro reaction. This disease is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases, with malignant blood diseases, and with the treatment using specific drugs. At the present times, in the external consultation of the Hematology and Immunology Institute are seen 35 adult patients presenting with AIHA, with an age rank between 18 and 60 years, the 65,7% is female sex and the 94% of white race. Thirty three of the cases (94,2%) has AIHA by hot antibodies and 2 (5,7%) with a cold agglutinins syndrome. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) at diagnosis was positive in 32 patients (91,43%) and showed the following patterns: IgG+C3d (62,50%), IgG (18,75%), C3d (16,62%) and IgA (3,12%). In three patients (8.75%) the DAT was negative. According to etiology, 30 are idiopathic and 5 secondary to other diseases. The 68,5% of patients respond adequately to treatment with steroids and remainder, required treatment with other immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide) or splenectomy. At present time, 17 have not treatment.

Keywords : Autoimmunity; autoimmune hemolytic anemia; direct antiglobulin test.

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