Autoimmunnaya gemoliticheskaya anemia – Gemoliticheskaya anemia

Description hemolytic anemia

Autoimmunnaya gemoliticheskaya anemia – disease, in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells (erythrocytes), causing them to disintegrate (hemolyze). This is a serious disease, which can lead to death, and requires urgent treatment.

There are many causes of hemolysis of red blood cells. Some congenital (eg, serpovidnokletochnaya anemia), Some are associated with other diseases, and certain drug-induced, but they all lead to anemia. There are many types of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, but they are united by the antibodies attack red blood cells.

Causes of hemolytic anemia

In most cases, the normal red blood cells to attack the body forces the abnormal functioning of the immune system. Causes of abnormal immune function include:

• Effects of drugs:
  • Fludaraʙin;
  • Interferon alfa;
• Infection:
  • Viral infections (including mononucleosis);
  • Mycoplasma Pneumonia
• Cancer:
  • Leukemia;
  • Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's, but sometimes the cause is, and Hodgkin's lymphoma);
• Vascular autoimmune diseases (eg, lupus).

Risk factors

Factors, which increase the risk of hemolytic anemia:

• Recent viral infections;
• Receiving type drugs, that can cause autoimmune hemolytic anemia;
• Cancer or leukemia;
• Vascular autoimmune disease;
• Family history of hemolytic disease.

Symptoms of hemolytic anemia

These symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia can be caused by many other factors. When they occur, seek medical advice.

• Dark brown urine;
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin – xanthoderma);
• Paleness (pale skin);
• Muscle aches;
• Headache;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Progressive weakness;
• Breathlessness;
• Cardiopalmus.

Diagnosis of hemolytic anemia

The doctor asks about the symptoms, taken medicines, studying the medical history, and performs a physical exam. The patient may be referred to a hematologist for further examination.

Tests may include the following:

• Complete blood count;
• Analysis of urine.

Treatment for hemolytic anemia

Mild cases may need no treatment and resolve on their own. Treatment options include the following:

Treatment of the underlying disease

When autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by cancer, medications or collagen-vascular disease, It may be sufficient treatment of the underlying disease.

Corticosteroids

Cortisone suppresses the immune response and, usually, significantly improves the state of the most common types of autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Other immunosuppressants

If corticosteroids are not effective, They may be used other drugs, that suppress the immune system. These include azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. Rituximab – another drug, which showed good results in the treatment of this disease.

Splenectomy

The spleen removes abnormal red cells from the circulation. Removing the spleen can preserve those cells and prevent anemia.

Blood transfusion

If the blood gets too anemic, it is necessary transfusion.

Preventing hemolytic anemia

Because of the many possible causes of autoimmune hemolytic anemia prevention its ineffective.