Premium
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by IgG λ‐monotypic cold agglutinins of anti‐Pr specificity after rubella infection
Author(s) -
König Andreas L.,
Schabel Angela,
Sugg Udo,
Brand Ulrich,
Roelcke Dieter
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2001.41040488.x
Subject(s) - rubella , cold agglutinin , hemolysis , immunology , mycoplasma pneumoniae , autoimmune hemolytic anemia , hemagglutination , titer , hemolytic anemia , medicine , autoantibody , agglutinin , virology , antibody , measles , vaccination , lectin , pneumonia
BACKGROUND: In postinfection cold agglutinin (CA) disease, a relation between CA specificity and the underlying infectious agent has been observed. The induction of anti‐I by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and that of anti‐i by EBV are well‐established examples. CASE REPORT: A 5‐year‐old boy developed severe hemolytic anemia after serologically ascertained rubella infection. Hemolysis was caused by high‐titer CAs, which were analyzed by absorption and elution with sialidase‐treated RBCs and hemagglutination‐inhibition experiments. RESULTS: After elimination of normal anti‐I and anti‐T, the predominant CA was found to be an IgGλ autoantibody with anti‐Pr 1 specificity. CONCLUSION: This case seems to be of interest because it is the first report of severe CA‐induced hemolysis after rubella infection, it is the first description of an IgGλ‐monotypic CA, and, along with previous case reports (three established and three suspected cases), it indicates a relationship between rubella infection and the CA specificity anti‐Pr.