Platelet and leukocyte antibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Acta Haematol. 1976;56(2):97-106. doi: 10.1159/000207925.

Abstract

Platelet and leukocyte counts and leukocytotoxic and platelet antibodies were studied in 32 patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA). Leukopenia was present in 59.4%, thrombocytopenia in 59.4% and leuko-thrombocytopenia in 40.5% of the cases. Specific antibodies for granulocytes were found in 81.3%, platelet antibodies in 90.6%. The AHA, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia generally presented a dissociated evolution and a different response to immunosuppressive treatment. The leukopenia of 2 and the thrombocytopenia of 6 patients appeared at variable time intervals after the AHA or the detection of leukocyte and platelet antibodies. Thrombocytopenic purpura was present in 6 patients, and in 2 of these since infancy. AHA may thus be a comples autoimmune syndrome that may involve leukocytes and platelets as well as erythrocytes, with synthesis of autoantibodies specific for different blood cells.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / complications
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / immunology*
  • Blood Platelets / immunology*
  • Cell Membrane / immunology
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isoantibodies*
  • Leukocytes / immunology*
  • Leukopenia / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombocytopenia / complications

Substances

  • Isoantibodies