Red Blood Cell Disorders 2 Flashcards
What is the function of glutathione in the vascular system?
Neutralizes oxidants that may cause hemolysis
What is the result of reduced glutathione (GSH)?
RBC oxidative stress resulting in damage and hemolysis
What condition is a deficiency in the enzyme needed for the synthesis of glutathione?
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD)
What is the enzyme responsible for GSH synthesis?
G6PD
What gender is most commonly affected by G6PD deficiency and why?
Males (X-linked condition)
What is the most common method of decreased glutathione production?
G6PD deficiency
Although asymptomatic usually, when does G6PD deficiency become symptomatic?
During exposure to an environmental stimulus that creates oxidative stress
What is the most common thing that causes symptoms of G6PD deficiency?
Infections
What general things can cause symptoms of G6PD deficiency?
1 infections
2 ADRs
3 Fava beans
What types of medications can cause ADRs and lead to symptoms of G6PD deficiency?
Aspirin, antimalarial meds (primaquine), nitrofurantoin (antibiotic for E. coli UTIs)
Heinz bodies and bite cells are microscopic findings associated with what hemopoietic condition?
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
What race is more at risk for developing G6PD deficiency?
Africans (10% of African Americans)
What are the risks for G6PD deficiency?
Males, Africans, areas of endemic malaria
What condition involves complement-mediated hemolysis?
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) or immunohemolytic anemias
What type of mutation is seen with PNH?
Acquired mutation of the PIGA gene in myeloid stem cells that is X-linked
What is the treatment for PNH?
Antibodies that inhibit the MAC
What is the characteristic sign of PNH?
Dark urine upon waking
In immunohemolytic anemias, what performs the hemolysis?
Splenic macrophages
How are immunohemolytic anemias diagnosed?
Coombs antiglobulin test
What class of antibodies are involved with attacking RBCs in warm antibody immunohemolytic anemia? Cold antibody?
Warm = IgG Cold = IgM
Which type of immunohemolytic anemia is usually primary in nature? Which can be secondary to infection?
Warm = primary Cold = primary or secondary to infection like EBV, mycoplasma, or B cell lymphomas
In 25% of cases, warm antibody immunohemolytic anemia can develop secondary to what conditions?
SLE, ADRs, B cell leukemia
What are the symptoms and signs of immunohemolytic anemias?
Chronic/mild anemia, jaundice, Raynaud phenomenon
What is the treatment for immunohemolytic anemias?
Usually none required
What kinds of things can cause traumatic hemolysis?
Prosthetic heart valves (“blender effect”) or narrowing vasculature
What kinds of things can cause narrowing of the vasculature resulting in traumatic hemolysis?
Aortic valve stenosis, DIC, SLE, invasive cancer
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is another name for what kind of hemolysis?
Traumatic hemolysis
What are RBCs called after damage due to traumatic hemolysis?
Schistocytes
What are other names for schistocytes based on their appearance?
“Burr cells” or “helmet cells”
Malaria is most common on which continents?
Africa and Asia
How many people die per year from malaria?
1 million
What is the pathogen responsible for malaria?
Plasmodium falciparum (protozoan)
What is the vector for malaria? What is the sole reservoir?
Vector = female Anopheles mosquito Reservoir = humans
What is the name for the hemolytic anemia associated with malaria?
Blackwater fever
Malaria becomes most lethal when it invades which body system?
CNS (seizures, convulsions, coma/death)
What is the treatment for malaria?
Chloroquine, primaquine, chemotherapy
Why is malaria becoming difficult to treat?
Drug-resistance
Deficiencies in which vitamins can lead to megaloblastic anemia?
Folic acid or vitamin B12
What is aplastic anemia?
Bone marrow failure
What is myelopththisic anemia?
Marrow infiltration