Severe Coombs positive autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with ulcerative colitis.
We describe a case of severe autoimmune haemolytic anaemia developing in newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis of moderate severity. Full immunosuppression with steroids and azathioprine failed to bring about a full remission and a splenectomy was performed which resulted in a remission enabling immunosuppression to be discontinued. This case is compared with three previously described cases of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with severe colitis requiring splenectomy.
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications*; D003298:Coombs Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013156:Splenectomy