Open AccessHard-To-Treat Idiopathic Refractory Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia with Reticulocytopenia
Author(s) -
Marcelo Aveiro,
Gisela Ferreira,
Carla Matias,
Ana Oliveira,
Tatiana Rodrigues
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of case reports in internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2284-2594
DOI - 10.12890/2020_002112
Subject(s) - medicine , reticulocytosis , rituximab , azathioprine , prednisolone , refractory (planetary science) , jaundice , pediatrics , dermatology , anemia , lymphoma , disease , physics , astrobiology
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.