Bloody Minded Episode 15 - Antibodies behaving badly | Warm Autoimmune Haemolysis
Sep 3, 2024
Dive into the puzzling world of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, where IgG antibodies wreak havoc on red blood cells. Discover fascinating insights into diagnostic tests and the complexities of this condition. The hosts discuss its ties to viral infections, malignancies, and even pregnancy. Learn about the unique challenges of managing hemolysis in patients, including immunosuppression strategies and the role of splenectomy. Plus, get ready for a wild ride through various hemolysis types and their implications in medical scenarios!
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Clinical Case of Autoimmune Hemolysis
- A 60-year-old man presenting with severe anemia and a high white cell count showed spherocytes and smudge cells on a blood film.
- This clinical case illustrated how autoimmune hemolytic anemia can present and be initially assessed in an emergency setting.
Mechanism of Warm Autoimmune Hemolysis
- Warm autoimmune hemolysis is caused by antibodies binding red cells at 37 degrees Celsius, mostly IgG.
- The reticuloendothelial system, especially macrophages in the spleen and liver, destroys these antibody-coated red cells extravascularly.
Role of Reticuloendothelial System
- The reticuloendothelial system, or mononuclear phagocyte system, includes macrophages in spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and lungs.
- It clears old red cells and other tagged particles from the bloodstream.