Hard-To-Treat Idiopathic Refractory Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia with Reticulocytopenia

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is an uncommon condition characterized by increased destruction of erythrocytes associated with reticulocytosis in the great majority of cases. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with jaundice and malaise. Investigation revealed AIHA with reticulocytopeni...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marcelo Aveiro, Gisela Ferreira, Carla Matias, Ana Oliveira, Tatiana Rodrigues
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SMC MEDIA SRL 2020-12-01
Series:European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/2112
Description
Summary:Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is an uncommon condition characterized by increased destruction of erythrocytes associated with reticulocytosis in the great majority of cases. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with jaundice and malaise. Investigation revealed AIHA with reticulocytopenia. The patient failed to respond to prednisolone or to rituximab. Azathioprine and epoetin beta were subsequently started, the prednisolone dose was increased, and the patient began to respond after 1 month. In AIHA, reticulocytopenia is a very rare presentation and a sign of great severity and poor outcome. The scarcity of therapeutic options in refractory cases poses a major challenge for physicians.
ISSN:2284-2594