3.18.14* Hemolytic Anemia Flashcards
PPT* Lecture Notes* Reading (33-72, 88-108)* Powerpoint
Possible causes of RBC loss?
a. Hemorrhage (chronic or acute)
b. Hemolysis ( many causes)
What are the lab findings for hemolytic anemia?
molecules normally found only inside red cells are tested for in the serum:
a. LDH
b. uncojugated bilirubin
c. reduced haptoglobin (increased transport of iron)
d. increased red cell production (increased reticulocytes, nucleated RBCs)
e. hemoglobinuria
increased LDH in serum due to
hemolytic anemia acute leukemia (lymphoblast lysis)
increased unconjugated bilirubin seen in?
liver issues
hemolytic anemia
bilirubin
end product of heme catabolism
hemoglobinuria seen in
renal diseases
hemolytic anemia
are haptoglobin levels increased or decreased in labs for hemolytic anemia?
decreased. Haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin in serum to prevent oxidative activity. If cells lyse, serum haptoglobin is taken up by binding to Hgb. haptoglobin:hepcidin is taken up by spleen macrophages
What may cause masked haptoglobin levels in a patient with hemolytic anemia?
haptoglobin is increased in infectious/inflammatory states (it is an acute phase reactant)
What is seen in a PBS with increased RBC production
polychromasia, nucleated RBC’s, increased reticulocytes
Genetic etiologies of hemolytic anemia
a. defects in membrane anchors (Band 3) or cables (spectrin) or associated proteins (ankyrin)
b. Hemoglobinopathies
c. defect in glycolysis/ATP generation
d. defect in anti-oxidant system (PPP -> G6PD)
E. unblocked complement fixation (can also be neoplastic)
osmotic fragility test
tests what fraction of RBCs survive after exposed to hypotonic environment for structural deficiencies that lead to hemolytic anemia
Hemoglobinopathy
missence mutation in hemoblobin leading to unstable variants, often resulting in Hb precipitation and instability of RBC
How to diagnose hemoglobinopathies
hb electrophoresis
Defects in glycolysis; impact on RBC
(most common is pyruvate kinase deficiency)
leads to reduced ATP generation and inability to have active sodium potassium pump
What is seen in PBS in patients with defects in RBC glycolysis -> hemolytic anemia
polychromasia (excess RBCs), many as reticulocytes, nRBCs
reticulocyte
immature RBC with rRNA meshwork
diagnostic test for defects in RBC glycolysis -> hemolytic anemia?
enzyme activity test
What is the effect of oxidative damage to RBCs?
disulfide bonds are formed between Hb molecules, leading to unstable RBC.
What molecules protects RBCs from oxidative damage?
glutathione
G6PD deficiency
X-linked disorder. G6PD enzyme needed in PPP to make NADPH, needed to regenerate reduced glutathione. Without glutathione, Hb oxidation leads to unstable RBCs
what is seen in a PBS in a patient with G6PD deficiency?
Heinz bodies
Heinz bodies
small granular-like precipitates of Hb visualized by methylene blue stain
What can be oxidized in an RBC?
Hb proteins heme iron (Fe 2+ -> Fe 3+)
What happens if heme iron becomes oxidized (ferric form, 3+)
aka methemoglobinemia
The heme iron cannot carry oxygen. Needs to be reduced by cytochrome B5 reductase (unless deficiency).
What genetic mutations are favorable in malaria?
G6PD deficiency
hemoglobinopathies (some heterozygotes)
What common condition results in hemolytic anemia due to deficiency in surface proteins that prevent complement fixation on RBCs?
(neoplastic/acquired) paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, X-linked defect in PIG-A enzyme needed for GPI anchor. Or neoplastic -> deficiency protease of complement/Ab in precursor RBC.
Diagnostic test for PNH
flow cytometry (for expression of relevant surface proteins)
Treatment for PNH
bone marrow trans
Ecluzimab (anti-complement activation)
Neoplastic condition that causes hemolytic anemia
PNH
Infections that cause hemolytic anemia
a. malaria (plasmodium falciparum)
b. babesia
c. bartonella
d. C. perfringens
Pertinent positives for malaria
high fever
dark urine
Babesia
protozoal intracellular parasite transmitted by ticks, mild
Bartonella bacilliformis
(aka carrion’s disease, Oroya fever; transmitted by sand flies)
intracellular parasite endemic to N. Andes. Causes severe anemia in acute phase and cutaneous rash in chronic phase.
Bartonella baciliformis pertinent positives
present with fever, hemolytic anemia, and splenomegaly.
C. perfringens (welchii)
component of normal skin flora which can secrete a toxin (alpha toxin) that results in severe hemolysis. It can also cause the tissue destructive form of sepsis called gas gangrene. Trauma; septic abortions; Rare complication of Cholecystitis, or of various cancers.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
cause by antibodies for RBC antigens.
a. Complexes get cleared by tissue phagocytes in spleen/liver collectively caled the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Partial clearance by RES leads to characteristic microspherocytes in PBS.
b. antibodies fix complement
hemoglobin electrophoresis checks for
thalassemia
will usually correlate with elevated MCV
First check in anemic patient with normal MCV that has not had blood loss
reticulocytes, LDH, haptocytes
Deficiency in what enzyme makes more susceptible to hemolysis
a. tetrahydrofolate reductase
b. methione synthase
c. cytochrome b5 reductase
d. pyruvate kinase
pyruvate kinase