The autoimmune hemolytic anemias are rare disorders characterized by the premature destruction (hemolysis) of red blood cells at a rate faster than they can be replaced. Acquired hemolytic anemias are non-genetic in origin. Idiopathic acquired autoimmune diseases occur when the body's natural defenses against invading organisms (e.g., lymphocytes, antibodies) destroy its own healthy tissues for no known reason. Normally, the red blood cells (erythrocytes) have a life span of approximately 120 days before being removed by the spleen. The severity of this type of anemia is determined by the life span of the red blood cell and by the rate at which these cells are replaced by the bone marrow.
Clinicians are able to determine quite accurately (Coombs test) whether or not red blood cells are carrying with them chemicals that are being incorrectly recognized as an "enemy" and therefore subject to autoimmune destruction.
Acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a disorder that occurs in individuals who previously had a normal red blood cell system. The disorder may occur as the result of, or in conjunction with, some other medical condition, in which case it is "secondary" to another disorder. Less commonly, it occurs alone without a precipitating factor.
Acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs in different forms, including warm antibody hemolytic anemia and cold antibody hemolytic anemia.
In warm antibody hemolytic anemia, the self-generated antibodies (autoantibodies) attach themselves and cause the destruction of the red blood cells at temperatures above normal body temperature. In contrast, in the cases of cold antibody hemolytic anemia, the self-generated antibodies (autoantibodies) attach themselves and cause the destruction of the red blood cells at temperatures below normal body temperature. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Warm Antibody Hemolytic Anemia" and/or Cold Antibody Hemolytic Anemia as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Generally symptoms of acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia resemble those of other anemias and may include fatigue, pale color, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dark urine, chills, and backache. In severe cases, yellow skin color (jaundice) may be present and the spleen may be enlarged.
If the autoimmune hemolytic anemia is secondary to another cause, the symptoms of the other cause may be most apparent.
Hemolytic anemia may be caused by any one or more of several kinds of disorders. For example, contributing factors may include:
An autoimmune response in which the patient's own immune system destroys the patient's red blood cells. The disorder is more common among people who already have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus.
The taking of certain types of medication by certain people. Among such medications are penicillin, quinine, methyldopa, and sulfonamides.
Inherited enzyme deficiencies inside red blood cells that may cause the cells to become fragile and subject to destruction. Most commonly, low levels of the enzymes pyruvate kinase or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are the culprits.
Hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell anemia or one of the thalassemias (blood disorders that affect the cells ability to produce hemoglobin).
Abnormalities of the cell membrane that cause the red blood cells to take on a shape other than the normal disc-shape. Such red blood cells may show up as spheres or ellipses or cup-like.
Some unusual situations may lead to the destruction of red blood cells. For example, as the cells pass through oxygenating machines during open-heart surgery, they may undergo changes that lead to hemolytic anemia.
When acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs from unknown causes, it affects twice as many women as men, specifically women under 50 years old. Cold antibody hemolytic anemia most commonly affects elderly persons, and warm antibody hemolytic anemia can affect anyone at any age.
Symptoms of the following disorder can be similar to those of Acquired Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Comparison may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria is a disorder characterized by a decrease of red blood cells (anemia) caused by a defect in the membrane of the red blood cells. The major symptom is the presence of blood in the urine (hemoglobinuria) which occurs chiefly at night due to the breakdown of red blood cells. Other symptoms may include paleness, severe abdominal or back pain, yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and enlargement of the spleen and liver. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
The following disorders may precede the development of Acquired Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. They can be useful in identifying an underlying cause of some forms of this disorder:
Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia is a disorder characterized by an excessive amount of white blood cells in the bone marrow, spleen, liver and blood. As the disease progresses, the leukemic cells invade other areas of the body including the intestinal tract, kidneys, lungs, gonads and lymph nodes. Symptoms of Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia may include fatigue, weakness, itchiness, night sweats, abdominal discomfort or weight loss. An enlarged spleen is usually discovered upon physical examination. People with this type of leukemia can get Acquired Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Lymphoma is a malignant growth which most commonly occurs in the lymph nodes, spleen and other areas involved in the body's immune system (lymphoreticular system). The major types are Hodgkin's Disease and Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma. People with Lymphoma can get Acquired Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia . (For more information on this disorder, choose "Hodgkin" or "Lymphoma" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Lupus Erythematosus is an inflammatory connective tissue disease that can affect many parts of the body including the joints, skin and internal organs. Lupus is an autoimmune disease most often striking young women between the ages of 15 and 35 years. The symptom for which Lupus was originally named, a butterfly-shaped red rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, is found in only five percent of newly diagnosed patients. Far more common are arthritic symptoms such as painfully inflamed joints. People with Lupus can get Acquired Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Lupus" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Diagnosis Upon suspicion of hemolytic anemia, blood will be tested to determine the proportion of immature red blood cells to mature ones. If the ratio is high, hemolytic anemia is likely. Another blood test (Coombs test) is used to determine whether the amount of certain antibodies is higher than normal. If so, the diagnosis may be autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Treatment When acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia is secondary to other diseases, diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disorder usually brings marked improvement of the anemia. Mild cases may require no treatment. Individuals with more severe cases of warm antibody hemolytic anemia may be treated with oral steroids or intravenous hydrocortisone followed by divided daily oral doses of prednisone. Improvement usually occurs within five to ten days after treatment. If the response to the steroid therapy is unsatisfactory, other therapeutic approaches must be considered.
In some resistant cases, total removal of the spleen may be required. Immunosuppressive drugs such as oral azathioprine or cyclophosphamide may be administered. Blood transfusions may be required in the most severe cases.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
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FROM THE INTERNET Medical Encyclopedia: idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia. MedlinePlus. Update date: 6/5/2003. 2pp. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article000579.htm
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 Tel: (914)428-7100 Fax: (914)997-4763 Tel: (888)663-4637 Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. 22100 Gratiot Avenue Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227 Tel: (586)776-3900 Fax: (586)776-3903 Tel: (800)598-4668 Email: aarda@aarda.org Internet: http://www.aarda.org/
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