Cold Agglutinin Induced Hemolysis in a Newly Diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in autoimmune hemolytic anemia patients based on coombs test results

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare blood disorder with an incidence of 1-3 per 100,000 people annually and a mortality rate of about 11%. AIHA is classified into warm, cold, and mixed types, which can be primary or secondary. Diagnosis is made through direct and indirect Coombs tests.

PURPOSE

This study aims to describe Coombs test results in suspected AIHA patients at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in Bandung from 2020 to 2022.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 78 AIHA cases. Blood samples were taken for both direct and indirect Coombs tests.

RESULTS

Among the 78 subjects, 83.33% were female, with an average age of 26.06 ± 15.91 years. The warm type of AIHA was most common (91.03%). Primary etiology was the most common in all AIHA types: 47.89% in warm, 66.67% in cold, and 50% in mixed. The most common direct Coombs test result was + 3 in warm (47.89%), cold (33.33%), and mixed (75%) AIHA. The most frequent indirect Coombs result was + 2 in warm (30.99%) and mixed (75%) AIHA, and + 3 in cold AIHA (66.67%).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that AIHA at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital is more prevalent in females and younger individuals, with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most common secondary cause. Warm AIHA was the most frequent, with a rare occurrence of mixed AIHA.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting With Cold-Antibody Autoimmune Hemolysis and Nephritis: A Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder that presents with a wide array of clinical features, including autoimmune hemolysis and nephritis. Autoimmune hemolysis in SLE is typically linked to warm antibodies, but the occurrence of cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS), driven by cold-reactive antibodies, is exceptionally rare. Lupus nephritis (LN) is among the most severe complications of SLE, characterized by immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, which often leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. Nephritis in SLE is a major indicator of chronic kidney disease, with many patients experiencing progressive renal damage over time. Early diagnosis and individualized treatment approaches are crucial for effectively managing these intertwined conditions. This case report presents a distinct clinical scenario involving a 53-year-old Hispanic female diagnosed with SLE, who concurrently presented with CAS and nephritis. The patient's initial symptoms included chest pain, severe macrocytic anemia, elevated creatinine levels, and evidence of active hemolysis. CAS was diagnosed through a positive direct antiglobulin test for C3d and elevated cold agglutinin titers. Further comprehensive assessments revealed dysgammaglobulinemia, hypocomplementemia, and positive anti-Ro antibodies, with a renal biopsy confirming LN (ISN/RPS Class IV and Class V). The patient exhibited a favorable response to a treatment regimen comprising high-dose steroids and anti-CD20 therapy, resulting in the complete cessation of hemolysis and a >50% decrease in proteinuria after six months. This case underscores the rarity of CAS in the context of SLE, particularly when coupled with nephritis, and highlights the need for tailored treatment strategies. Anti-CD20 therapy, as used in primary CAS management, emerges as a promising option for this unique presentation, offering insights into the complex interplay of autoimmune conditions.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Caused by Cold Agglutinin Antibodies in Systemic Lupus erythematosus-a Rare Association: Case Report

Autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHAs) are rare and heterogeneous disorders characterized by the destruction of red blood cells by warm or cold antibodies. Hemolytic anemia associated with warm antibodies is the most common, whereas cold antibodies are rare and infrequent in cases published in the scientific literature. Herein, we present the case of a young patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by cold antibodies. Initially, infectious etiology and hematological malignancy were considered, which were ruled out. She required management in the intensive care unit due to severe hematological involvement and responded well to immunomodulatory therapy. This case illustrates the importance of a strong clinical suspicion of AIHA due to cold agglutinins associated with SLE when faced with similar clinical symptoms in order to achieve a timely diagnosis and provide optimal therapy.

HbA1c Below the Reportable Range

This case report concerns a 71 year old female patient who had a very low glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) despite having a high level of fasting blood glucose. The patient had a decreased erythrocyte count, elevated red blood cell indices, and a reticulocyte count with no evidence of hemoglobinopathy. She reported receiving hydroxychloroquine treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus. Subsequent laboratory investigations revealed hemolysis with formation of cold agglutinin. Because cold agglutinins can interfere with HbA1c assays, the specimens were reanalyzed after warming. The complete blood count results improved, but the HbA1c result did not change. In patients in whom medications and/or medical conditions may interfere with HbA1c levels, alternative measures of glycemic control, such as fructosamine, could be beneficial.

Immune-mediated Coombs negative intravascular haemolysis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A 27-year-old woman presented with a history of excessive hair loss, loss of appetite, loss of weight, amenorrhoea and loss of axillary and pubic hair for 6 months followed by fever and vomiting for 5 months and abdominal pain for 1 month. During the course of her illness, the patient developed intravascular haemolysis as evidenced by a drop in haemoglobin, indirect hyperbilirubinaemia, raised lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and haemoglobinuria. Examination revealed severe pallor, mild icterus, elevated jugular venous pressure, generalised lymphadenopathy and hyperpigmentation. Investigations revealed severe anaemia, indirect hyperbilirubinaemia, raised LDH and negative Coombs test. Antinuclear antibody and anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm and anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies were positive and complement C3 was low. The patient was diagnosed to have systemic lupus erythematosus and immune-mediated intravascular haemolysis and was treated with prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine. Haemolysis resolved following steroid therapy, and during follow-up, there were no further episodes of haemolysis.

A 79-Year-Old Female with Altered Mental Status and Anemia

The authors declare that there are no disclosures or conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript. We did not receive any financial support and have no financial interests which could create a potential conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest with regard to the work.

Cold agglutinin-induced hemolytic anemia as the primary presentation in SLE - A case report

Cold agglutinin-induced hemolytic anemia as the primary presentation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare. Only few cases have been reported in literature so far. Here, we report a 17-year-old girl who presented with features of hemolytic anemia and later diagnosed as a case of SLE.

Early Serologic Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia: An Observational Study on Changes in Titers of Specific-IgM Antibodies and Cold Agglutinins

There have been some limitations on early diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection because of no immunoglobulin M (IgM) responses and variable detection rates of polymerase chain reaction in the early stage of the disease. We wanted to discuss regarding early diagnostic method using short-term paired titration of MP-specific IgM and cold agglutinins (CAs) in the early stage of MP pneumonia.The participants of this study were 418 children with MP pneumonia during 2 recent epidemics (2006-2007 and 2011), and they were diagnosed by an anti-MP IgM antibody test (Serodia Myco II) examined twice during hospitalization at presentation and around discharge (mean of 3.4 ± 1.3 days apart). CA titers were simultaneously examined twice during study period. Anti-MP IgM antibody titer ≥1:40 and CA titer ≥1:4 were considered positive, respectively. The relationships between 2 IgM antibodies in the early stage were evaluated.Regarding MP-specific antibody titers, 148 patients showed a seroconversion, 245 patients exhibited increased titers, and 25 patients had unchanged higher titers (≥1:640) during hospitalization. The median MP-specific antibody titers at each examination time were 1:80 and 1:640, respectively; those of CAs were 1:8 and 1:32, respectively. Illness duration prior to admission showed a trend of association with both titers, and patients with shorter illness duration had a higher rate of negative titers or lower titers at each examination time. CAs and MP-specific antibody titers were correlated in the total patients at presentation and at 2nd examination (P < 0.001, respectively), and the diagnostic corresponding rates of CAs to IgM antibody test were 81% to 96% in patient subgroups.Short-term paired MP specific-IgM determinations in the acute stage may be used as a definitive diagnostic method for MP pneumonia. Paired CA titers showed a correlation with MP-specific antibody titers, suggesting they can be used as an adjuvant diagnostic method.

Glucocorticoid-Responsive Cold Agglutinin Disease in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

A 57-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis developed severe anemia during treatment with adalimumab plus methotrexate. Cold agglutinin disease was diagnosed because haptoglobin was undetectable, cold agglutinin was positive (1 : 2048), and the direct Coombs test was positive (only to complement). Although the cold agglutinin titer was normalized (1 : 64) after treatment with prednisolone (0.7 mg/kg/day for two weeks), the patient's hemoglobin did not increase above 8 g/dL. When cold agglutinins were reexamined using red blood cells suspended in bovine serum albumin, the titer was still positive at 1 : 1024. Furthermore, the cold agglutinin had a wide thermal amplitude, since the titer was 1 : 16 at 30°C and 1 : 1 at 37°C. This suggested that the cold agglutinin would show pathogenicity even at body temperature. After the dose of prednisolone was increased to 1 mg/kg/day, the patient's hemoglobin rapidly returned to the normal range. The thermal amplitude test using red blood cells suspended in bovine serum albumin is more sensitive than the standard test for detecting pathogenic cold agglutinins.

Cold agglutinin disease

Cold agglutinin disease is a rare and poorly understood disorder affecting 15% of patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We reviewed the clinical and pathologic features, prognosis, and management in the literature and describe our institutional experience to improve strategies for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Retrospective analysis identified 89 patients from our institution with cold agglutinin disease from 1970 through 2012. Median age at symptom onset was 65 years (range, 41 to 83 years), whereas the median age at diagnosis was 72 years (range, 43 to 91 years). Median survival of all patients was 10.6 years, and 68 patients (76%) were alive 5 years after the diagnosis. The most common symptom was acrocyanosis (n = 39 [44%]), and many had symptoms triggered by cold (n = 35 [39%]) or other factors (n = 20 [22%]). An underlying hematologic disorder was detected in 69 patients (78%). Thirty-six patients (40%) received transfusions during their disease course, and 82% received drug therapy. Rituximab was associated with the longest response duration (median, 24 months) and the lowest proportion of patients needing further treatment (55%). Our institution’s experience and review of the literature confirms that early diagnostic evaluation and treatment improves outcomes in cold agglutinin disease.

Cold agglutinin-induced haemolysis in association with antinuclear antibody-negative SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic relapsing autoimmune disease associated with several autoantibodies targeted to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. Serum antinuclear antibody (ANA) is considered an important diagnostic marker of SLE. However, 2-3% of patients with typical clinical picture of SLE may have persistently negative ANA tests. Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) in SLE is usually mediated by warm IgG anti-erythrocyte antibodies. Our report describes a female patient who presented with clinical manifestations of SLE including photosensitivity, joint pains and AIHA. Further workup revealed high cold IgM agglutinin titres. A comprehensive workup for infectious aetiologies was negative. Autoimmune studies revealed negative ANA, but positive anti-double-stranded DNA and antiphospholipid antibodies. Lymphoproliferative disorder was excluded by imaging studies. Initial treatment with steroids proved of little benefit; however, rituximab resulted in significant clinical improvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is perhaps the first report of ANA-negative SLE presenting with cold AIHA.