Skip to main content

Hemolytic Anemia

Hemolytic Anemia



Definition - Clinical signs  - hematological findings - Biochemical findings and 
 Causes of hemolytic  Anemia




DEFINITIONS
Hemolytic Anemia is defined as increase in the rate of destruction and removal of RBCs and ability of bone marrow to respond to anemia is unimpaired (erythropoietic hyperplasia of bone marrow ).

Clinical signs

- pale mucous membranes (anemiia)
- Jaundice 
- Hemoglobinuria 


hematological findings

- Anemia , decreased Hb concentration , RBC count and PCV .
- Typical findings of regenerative anemia such as , anisocytosis , polychromasia , reticulocytosis  and RBCs are macrocytic hypochromic  
- Increased MCV and decreased MCH and MCHC 
- leukocytosis  due to neutrophilia  with shift to left 
- Bone marrows shows normoblastic erythroid  hyperplasia with decreased M:E ratio ( myeloid : erythroid ratio ) indicating elevation of erythropioesis 


Biochemical findings


1 - Increased unconjugated  bilirubin 
2 - Plasma protein concentration  is normal 
3 - Hemoglobinemia 


 Causes of hemolytic  Anemia 

1 - Hereditary causes of hemolytic Anemia 
- Hemolytic anemia due to membrane defect such as hereditary spherocytosis . 
- Hemolytic anemia due to Hb defect , ( hemoglobino pathies) such as , thalassemia , sickle cell anemia . 
- Hemolytic anemia due to enzyme defect , such as pyruvate kinase deficiency and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency 
- Congenital erythropoietic porphyria . 


2 - Acquired hemolytic anemia 
     
Causes  of  Acquired hemolytic anemia

a- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the tyoe of anemia red blood cells destruction is accelerated by auto antibody against mature erythrocytes . 
This type may be occure as a primary (idiopathic) disorder or secondary to other diseases such as bacteria , viral or protozoan infections . 
b- Hemolytic anemia associated with some chemicals and drugs 
Chemicals that can cause hemolytic anemia are lead , copper , phenothiazine , methylene blue, saponins  and naphthalene , in addition to certain drugs such as some sulfnilamides , acetanilid and nitrofurantion 

c- Hemolytic anemia caused by blood parasites such as anaplasmosis , babesiosis , trypanosomiasis , theileriasis and malaria in human 

d - Hemolytic anemia caused by bacterial infections such as staphylococcus & toxoplasma  infections in humans . 
e - Hemolytic anemia due to viral infections 
f - hemolytic anemia due to poisonous plants and venoms ( snake venom ) 
g - Mechanical causes such as trauma to RBCs caused by cardiac valve and DIC 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

MICROSCOPIC URINALYSIS

MICROSCOPIC URINALYSIS   Methodology A sample of well-mixed   urine (usually 10-15 ml) is centrifuged in a test tube at relatively low speed (about 2-3,000 rpm) for 5-10 minutes until a moderately cohesive button is produced at the bottom of the tube. The supernatant is decanted and a volume of 0.2 to 0.5 ml is left inside the tube. The sediment is resuspended in the remaining supernatant by flicking the bottom of the tube several times. A drop of resuspended sediment is poured onto a glass slide and coverslipped.

Liver Enzymes

Liver Enzymes   Definition A liver enzyme is a protein that helps to speed up a chemical reaction in the   liver. Liver function tests are blood tests that are used to evaluate various functions of the liver - for example, metabolism, storage, filtration and excretion, which are often performed by liver enzymes. However, not all liver function tests are measures of enzyme function. • ALT - (alanine aminotransferase )   - was previously called SGPT is more specific for liver damage. The ALT is an enzyme that is produced in the liver cells (hepatocytes) therefore it is more specific for liver disease than some of the other enzymes. It is generally increased in situations where there is damage to the liver cell membranes. All types of liver inflammation can cause raised ALT.    • AST - (aspartate aminotransferase) which was previously called SGOT. This is a mitochondrial enzyme that is also present in heart, muscle, kidney and brain ...

Gamma globulins

Gamma globulins   Increased in immunoglobulins are often referred to as hyper gammaglobulinemia or gammopathies  Hypogammaglobulinemia This most often results from  decreased synthesis , but could also be associated with increased loss .  1 - Decreased synthesis ( High A : G ratio )  a- failure of passive transfer or colostrum deprivation  b - Combined immunodeficiency disease ( Both T & B cells are deficient )  c - Agammaglobulinemia  d - Acquired deficiency associated with inflammation , immunosuppressive drugs or neoplasia