Uremia associated with erythrophagocytosis by small intestine epithelial cells: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Anemia is a frequent finding in patients with uremia due to chronic renal failure. Two factors contribute to the decrease in the red blood cell count and worsen the patient's general status: depression of erythropoiesis and shortening of the red blood cell lifespan.


METHODS
A novel response mechanism to erythrocyte loss took place in a uremic patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In an autopsy case of an 80-year-old woman dying of uremia, analysis of an intestinal fluid smear revealed small intestine epithelial cells engulfing complete erythrocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
This cytologic finding could account for a potential response mechanism to counteract the massive erythrocyte loss that occurs in hemorrhagic anemia with a uremic background.
Fariña
Juliana
J
Departments of Pathology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Millana
M Concepción
MC
Fernández-Aceñero
Maria Jesús
MJ
Campo-Ruiz
Vanessa
V
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014511:Uremia / Q000150:complications*