title: Platelet and leukocyte antibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
abstract: Platelet and leukocyte counts and leukocytotoxic and platelet antibodies were studied in 32 patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA). Leukopenia was present in 59.4%, thrombocytopenia in 59.4% and leuko-thrombocytopenia in 40.5% of the cases. Specific antibodies for granulocytes were found in 81.3%, platelet antibodies in 90.6%. The AHA, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia generally presented a dissociated evolution and a different response to immunosuppressive treatment. The leukopenia of 2 and the thrombocytopenia of 6 patients appeared at variable time intervals after the AHA or the detection of leukocyte and platelet antibodies. Thrombocytopenic purpura was present in 6 patients, and in 2 of these since infancy. AHA may thus be a comples autoimmune syndrome that may involve leukocytes and platelets as well as erythrocytes, with synthesis of autoantibodies specific for different blood cells.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies