AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIAS
Autoantibodies against erythrocytes
2 groups;
Cold anti-erythrocytic antibodies;
IgM class
Complete Agglutinating
Agglutinate erythrocytes @ 4°C but not @ 37°C.
Seen in: Primary atypical pneumonia, trypanosomiasis, black water fever, [syphilis (seldom seen nowadays)]
Warm anti-erythrocytic antibodies;
incomplete, nonagglutinating antibodies
IgG class
Shown with direct Coombs test
Drug induced: Sulphonamides, alpha methyldopa, antibiotics