Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia Flashcards
What is autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
RBC destruction that is triggered by autoantibodies
What are the two types of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Warm
Cold
What is warm AIHA?
The autoantibodies cause haemolysis best at body temperature - haemolysis occurs in extravascular sites
What type of antibodies are commonly seen in warm AIHI?
IgG
What are the causes of warm AIHA?
Idiopathic - most common
Autoimmune disease - SLE
Lymphoma
CLL
Drugs - methyldopa
What is the first line management of warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Steroids
Rituximab
What is the most common type of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
What is cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
At lower temperatures the antibodies attach to the red blood cells, and cause them to clump together
What are the causes of cold AIHA?
Lymphoma
Leukaemia
SLE
Infections - EBV, CMV, HIV, mycoplasma
What is the first line management of cold AIHA?
Prednisolone
Rituximab
What is the further management of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Blood transfusions
Splenectomy
What type of antibody is seen in cold AIHA?
IgM
What are the blood film findings in haemolysis?
Raised reticulocytes
Schistocytes
