Hard-To-Treat Idiopathic Refractory Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia with Reticulocytopenia
  • Marcelo Aveiro
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal
  • Gisela Ferreira
    Haematology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal
  • Carla Matias
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal
  • Ana Oliveira
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal
  • Tatiana Rodrigues
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal

Keywords

Haemolytic anaemia, reticulocytopenia, azathioprine

Abstract

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.

 

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    Published: 2020-12-02
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 12 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Aveiro M, Ferreira G, Matias C, Oliveira A, Rodrigues T. Hard-To-Treat Idiopathic Refractory Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia with Reticulocytopenia. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_002112.

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