Refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and ulcerative colitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)are both systemic immunoreactive diseases,and their pathogenesis depends on the interaction between genes and environmental factors.There are no reports of UC with SLE in China,but six cases of SLE with UC have been reported in China.The combination of these two diseases has distinct effects on the pathogenesis of both diseases.CASE SUMMARY A female patient(30 years old)came to our hospital due to dull umbilical pain,diarrhea and mucous bloody stool in August 2018 and was diagnosed with UC.The symptoms were relieved after oral administration of mesalazine(1 g po tid)or folic acid(5 mg po qd),and the patient were fed a control diet.On June 24,2019,the patient was admitted for treatment due to anemia and tinnitus.During hospitalization,the patient had repeated low-grade fever and a progressively decreased Hb level.Blood tests revealed positive antinuclear antibody test,positive anti-dsDNA antibody,0.24 g/L C3(0.9-1.8 g/L),0.04 g/L C4(0.1-0.4 g/L),32.37 g/L immunoglobulin(8-17 g/L),and 31568.1 mg/24 h total 24-h urine protein(0-150 mg/24 h).The patient was diagnosed with SLE involving the joints,kidneys and blood system.Previously reported cases of SLE were retrieved from PubMed to characterize clinicopathological features and identify prognostic factors for SLE.CONCLUSION The patient was discharged in remission after a series of treatments,such as intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate,intravenous human immunoglobulin,cyclophosphamide injection,and plasma exchange.After discharge,the patient took oral prednisone acetate tablets,cyclosporine capsules,hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets and other treatments for symptoms and was followed up regularly for 1 month,after which the patient's condition continued to improve and stabilize.

Direct antiglobulin test-negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a patient withβ-thalassemia minor during pregnancy:A case report

BACKGROUND Severe refractory anemia during pregnancy can cause serious maternal and fetal complications.If the cause cannot be identified in time and accurately,blind symptomatic support treatment may cause serious economic burden.Thalassemia minor pregnancy is commonly considered uneventful,and the condition of anemia rarely progresses during pregnancy.Autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA)is rare during pregnancy with no exact incidence available.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 30-year-oldβ-thalassemia minor multiparous patient experiencing severe refractory anemia throughout pregnancy.We monitored the patient closely,carried out a full differential diagnosis,made a diagnosis of direct antiglobulin test-negative AIHA,and treated her with prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin.The patient gave birth to a healthy full-term baby.CONCLUSION Coombs-negative AIHA should be suspected in cases of severe hemolytic anemia in pregnant patients with and without other hematological diseases.

Iguratimod in treatment of primary Sjögren’s syndrome concomitant with autoimmune hemolytic anemia:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary Sjögren's syndrome(pSS)concomitant with autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA)but without eye and mouth dryness is exceedingly rare.Iguratimod(IGU)has been widely used in the treatment of pSS.However,there are few reports about the application of IGU in pSS concomitant with AIHA.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present the case of a patient with pSS concomitant with AIHA but without eye and mouth dryness.The patient was initially diagnosed with hyperplastic anemia and AIHA while pSS was missed,and was finally diagnosed with pSS concomitant with AIHA.The patient was treated with IGU along with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine,and her hemoglobin,reticulocytes and IgG returned to normal levels.CONCLUSION IGU was effective for and well tolerated by our patient with pSS concomitant with AIHA,and may be a promising therapy for the treatment of this disease.

Giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a nine month old infant

Giant cell hepatitis(GCH)with autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a rare entity,limited to young children,with an unknown pathogenesis.We report the case of 9-mo old who presented with fever,diarrhea and jaundice four days before hospitalization.Physical examination found pallor,jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly.The laboratory workup showed serum total bilirubin at 101 μmol/L,conjugated bilirubin at 84 μmol/L,hemolytic anemia,thrombocytopenia and immunoglobulin G(IgG)and anti-C3d positive direct Coombs' test.The antinuclear,anti-smooth muscle and liver kidney microsomes 1 non-organ specific autoantibodies,antiendomisium antibodies were negative.Serological assays for viral hepatitis B and C,cytomegalovirus,herpes simplex and Epstein Barr virus were negative.The association of acute liver failure,Evan's syndrome,positive direct Coomb's test of mixed type(IgG and C3)and the absence of organ and non-organ specific autoantibodies suggested the diagnosis of GCH.The diagnosis was confirmed by a needle liver biopsy.The patient was treated by corticosteroids,immunomodulatory therapy and azathioprine but died with septicemia.

Infantile giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Giant cell hepatitis(GCH)is characterized by large and multinucleated(syncytial)hepatocytes in the context of liver inflammation.Infantile GCH is typically associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the absence of any other systemic or organ-specific autoimmune comorbidity.The etiology is unknown;concomitant viral infections(as potential trigger factors)have been identified in a few patients.The pathogenesis reportedly relies upon immune-mediated/autoimmune mechanisms.This condition should be considered in any infant developing Coombs-positive anemia;indeed,anemia usually precedes the development of hepatitis.The clinical course is usually aggressive without the appropriate immunosuppressive therapy,which may include steroids,conventional immunosuppressors(e.g.,azathioprine and cyclophosphamide as first-line treatments),intravenous immunoglobulin,and biologics(rituximab).Improvements in medical management(including the availability of rituximab)have significantly reduced the mortality of this condition in the last decade.

First case of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

To our knowledge,patients with immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis(IgG4-SC)associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA)have not been reported previously.Many patients with IgG4-SC have autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)and respond to steroid treatment.However,isolated cases of IgG4-SC are difficult to diagnose.We describe our experience with a patient who had IgG4-SC without AIP in whom the presence of AIHA led to diagnosis.The patient was a73-year-old man who was being treated for dementia.Liver dysfunction was diagnosed on blood tests at another hospital.Imaging studies suggested the presence of carcinoma of the hepatic hilus and primary sclerosing cholangitis,but a rapidly progressing anemia developed simultaneously.After the diagnosis of AIHA,steroid treatment was begun,and the biliary stricture improved.IgG4-SC without AIP was thus diagnosed.

Oxidative stress as a potential causal factor for autoimmune hemolytic anemia and systemic lupus erythematosus

The kidneys and the blood system mutually exert influence in maintaining homeostasis in the body. Because the kidneys control erythropoiesis by producing erythropoietin and by supporting hematopoiesis, anemia is associated with kidney diseases. Anemia is the most prevalent genetic disorder, and it is caused by a deficiency of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD), for which sulfhydryl oxidation due to an insufficient supply of NADPH is a likely direct cause. Elevated reactive oxygen species(ROS) result in the sulfhydryl oxidation and hence are another potential cause for anemia. ROS are elevated in red blood cells(RBCs) under superoxide dismutase(SOD1) deficiency in C57BL/6 mice. SOD1 deficient mice exhibit characteristics similar to autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA) and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) at the gerontic stage. An examination of AIHA-prone New Zealand Black(NZB) mice, which have normal SOD1 and G6 PD genes, indicated that ROS levels in RBCs are originally high and further elevated during aging. Transgenic overexpression of human SOD1 in erythroid cells effectively suppresses ROS elevation and ameliorates AIHA symptoms such as elevated anti-RBC antibodies and premature death in NZB mice. These results support the hypothesis that names oxidative stress as a risk factor for AIHA and other autoimmune diseases such as SLE. Herein we discuss the association between oxidative stress and SLE pathogenesis based mainly on the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of NZB and New Zealand white mice and provide insight into the mechanism of SLE pathogenesis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with chronic B-type hepatitis complicated by autoimmune hemolytic anemia:A case report

A 57-year-old man consulted a local hospital because of a persistent slight fever. At the age of 37 years he was diagnosed having B-type hepatitis,but left the liver dysfunction untreated. Twenty years later,he was diagnosed having chronic hepatitis B,hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macrocytic anemia,and referred to our hospital for further investigation. A HCC with a maximum diameter of 5.2 cm was detected in segment 8. Results of blood tests included 1.8 mg/dL serum total bilirubin,0.9 mg/dL bilirubin,less than 10 mg/dL haptoglobin,7.9 g/dL hemoglobin,130 fL MCV,and 14.5% reticulocytes. A bone marrow sample showed erythroid hyperplasia. The direct Coombs test gave a positive result. We diagnosed the anemia as autoimmmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA),for which prednisolone could not be administered due to positivity for HBsAg and HBeAg. After preparation of washed blood cells for later transfusion,the patient underwent systematic resection of segment 8. The cut surface of the resected specimen demonstrated an encapsulated yellow-brownish tumor measuring 52 mm×40 mm which was diagnosed pathologicaly as moderately differentiated HCC. On the 9th postoperative day,the patient's temperature rose to 38℃,and exacerbated hemolysis was observed. The maximum total bilirubin value was 5.8 mg/dL and minimum hemoglobin level was 4.6 g/dL. He tolerated this period without blood transfusion. Currently he is being followed up as an outpatient,and shows no signs of HCC recurrence or symptoms of anemia. AIHA associated with HBV infection has been described in only three previous cases,and the present case is the first in which surgery was performed for accompanying HCC.

Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) Effectively Treats Induced Hemolytic Anemia in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Moringa oleifera was a medicinal plant generally used by populations in the food and therapeutic fields. It’s used to treat anemia has been observed in the Djougou Zone in northern Benin. To our knowledge, there were no scientific data available that have evaluated its efficacy in the treatment of haemolytic anemia. This was what justifies this research work in which the phytochemical analysis, extraction and evaluation of the anti-anemic effect were carried out. Methods: Five groups of five Wistar rats each were formed. All the rats were rendered anemic by injection of phenylhydrazine hydrochloride on the first two days D0 and D1 except those in the negative control group. From the second day, the anemic groups were force-fed either with the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves at 200 or 300 mg/kg body weight/day, or with vitafer, the reference drug against anemia. The positive control group (anemia) was not treated. Blood samples were taken from all the rats on different days: D0, D2, D7, D10 and D15 to evaluate the data of the hemogram and the osmotic resistance of the red blood cells. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanins, saponosides, triterpenes and mucilages. A good yield was obtained at the extraction. Both the extract and the reference drug vitafer completely corrected anemia within two weeks after stimulating hemoglobin synthesis and early release of immature red blood cells into the bloodstream. Its effect seemed dose-dependent and specific. Conclusion: Moringa oleifera leaves showed good therapeutic efficacy and can be considered and exploited for transformation into improved traditional medicines (ITM) in the treatment of anemia.

Acute kidney injury following autoimmune hemolytic anemia due to simultaneous use of ciprofloxacin and hydrochlorothiazide:A case report and review of the literature

Introduction:Rare cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AHA)associated with using ciprofloxacin or hydrochlorothiazide(HCTZ)alone have been reported before.However,simultaneous use of both drugs could lead to a severe clinical condition.This study presents the combination of acute kidney injury(AKI)and AHA following the simultaneous use of ciprofloxacin and HCTZ for three days.Case Description:A 42-year-old Iranian woman presented to the emergency department with symptoms of fatigue,lethargy,nausea and vomiting,ataxia,oliguria,dark urine,and jaundice.The patient reported using HCTZ due to high blood pressure and ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection three days before presentation.Early laboratory findings revealed hemolytic anemia with a hemoglobin of 7 g/dl,the strongly positive direct and indirect Coombs test,high level of lactate dehydrogenase(820 IU/L),and hyperbilirubinemia(total:3 mg/dL and direct:1.2 mg/dL).Furthermore,hyperkalemia(5.2 mEq/L),hyperphosphatemia(6.2 mg/dL),high levels of BUN(100 mg/dL),and creatinine rise(6.8 mg/dL)were found.Urine analysis showed 2+blood,4-6 red blood cells,and cola-colored urine.Based on the findings,druginduced AHA,followed by AKI,was diagnosed.Following,the drugs were stopped and steroid therapy was initiated.The patient underwent four sessions of hemodialysis to improve the AKI.Conclusion:Healthcare providers should be aware of the life-threatening adverse effects of commonly used drugs such as ciprofloxacin or HCTZ.The timely diagnosis of the offending drugs leads to avoiding the persistence of the risk factor and the deterioration of the patient's clinical condition.

Incidence of congenital hemolytic anemias in young cholelithiasis patients

AIM: To clarify the incidence of congenital hemolytic anemias (CHA) in young cholelithiasis patients and to determine a possible screening test based on the results. METHODS: Young cholelithiasis patients (< 35 years) were invited to our outpatient clinic. Participants were asked for comorbidities and family history. The number of gallstones were recorded. Blood samples were obtained to perform a complete blood count, standard Wright-Giemsa staining, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis, serum lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin levels, and lipid profile. RESULTS: Of 3226 cholecystectomy patients, 199 were under 35 years, and 190 with no diagnosis of CHA were invited to take part in the study. Fifty three patients consented to the study. The median age was 29 years (range, 17-35 years), 5 were male and 48 were female. Twelve patients (22.6%) were diagnosed as thalassemia trait and/or ?ron-deficiency anemia. Hblevels were significantly lower (P = 0.046), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and hematocrit levels were slightly lower (P = 0.072 and 0.082, respectively) than normal. There was also a significantly lower number of gallstones with the diagnosis (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: In endemic regions, for young cholelithiasis patients (age under 35) with 2-5 gallstones, the clinician/surgeon should pay attention to MCV and Hb levels as indicative of CHA.

Acute liver failure with hemolytic anemia in children with Wilson’s disease:Genotype-phenotype correlations?

BACKGROUND Wilson’s disease(WD)is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder of copper metabolism.Acute liver failure(ALF)and hemolytic anemia represent the most severe presentation of WD in children.No clear genotype-phenotype correlations exist in WD.Protein-truncating nonsense,frame-shift,or splice-site variants may be associated with more severe disease.In contrast,missense variants may be associated with late-onset,less severe disease,and more neurological manifestations.Recently,a gene variant(HSD17B13:TA,rs72613567)with a possible hepatic protective role against toxins was associated with a less severe hepatic phenotype in WD.AIM To analyze the possible genotype-phenotype correlations in children with WD presented with ALF and non-immune hemolytic anemia.METHODS The medical records of children with WD diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2006 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical manifestations(ALF with non-immune hemolytic anemia or other less severe forms),laboratory parameters,copper metabolism,ATP7B variants,and the HSD17B13:TA(rs72613567)variant were reviewed to analyze the possible genotype-phenotype correlations.RESULTS We analyzed the data of 51 patients with WD,26 females(50.98%),with the mean age at the diagnosis of 12.36±3.74 years.ALF and Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia was present in 8 children(15.67%),all adolescent girls.The Kayser-Fleisher ring was present in 9 children(17.65%).The most frequent variants of the ATP7B gene were p.His1069Gln(c.3207A>G)in 38.24% of all alleles,p.Gly1341Asp(c.4021G>A)in 26.47%,p.Trp939Cys(c.2817G>T)in 9.80%,and p.Lys844Ter(c.2530A>T)in 4.90%.In ALF with hemolytic anemia,p.Trp939Cys(c.2817G>T)and p.Lys844Ter(c.2530A>T)variants were more frequent than in other less severe forms,in which p.His1069Gln(c.3207A>G)was more frequent.p.Gly1341Asp(c.4021G>A)has a similar frequency in all hepatic forms.For 33 of the patients,the HSD17B13 genotype was evaluated.The overall HSD17B13:TA allele frequency was 24.24%.Its frequency was higher in patients with less severe liver disease(26.92%)than those with ALF and hemolytic anemia(14.28%).CONCLUSION It remains challenging to prove a genotype-phenotype correlation in WD patients.In children with ALF and hemolytic anemia,the missense variants other than p.His1069Gln(c.3207A>G)and frame-shift variants were the most frequently present in homozygous status or compound heterozygous status with site splice variants.As genetic analysis is usually time-consuming and the results are late,the importance at the onset of the ALF is questionable.If variants proved to be associated with severe forms are found in the pre-symptomatic phase of the disease,this could be essential to predict a possible severe evolution.

Cancer-related microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in patients with advanced gastric cancer: A retrospective single-center analysis

BACKGROUND Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia(MAHA) with thrombocytopenia and organ failure caused by tumor-associated thrombotic microangiopathy(TMA) is a lifethreatening oncological emergency. Rapid diagnosis and precise distinction from other forms of TMA is crucial for appropriate therapy, which aims at treating the underlying malignancy. However, the prognosis of patients with cancer-related(CR)-MAHA is limited. To date, less than 50 patients with gastric cancer and CRMAHA have been reported, mainly as single case reports, and detailed information on treatment strategies and outcome are scarce. We analyzed the characteristics and outcomes data of CR-MAHA patients with gastric cancer treated at our center between 2012 and 2019.AIM To gain knowledge about CR-MAHA and the course of disease.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed patients using an institutional prospectively maintained database. Patients who had CR-MAHA but other cancer types or cancer of unknown primary were excluded. The basic requirements for inclusion were: Histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma;and clinical diagnosis of hemolytic anemia with schistocytes with or without thrombocytopenia. The observation period for each patient started with the first day of documented symptoms. The follow-up period for this analysis ended on February 1, 2020.RESULTS We identified eight patients with a median age of 54 years. Histologically, all patients had(partial) diffuse subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma with partial or complete signet cell morphology. All patients had metastatic disease and one patient had a microsatellite instability-high(MSI-H) tumor. In three patients, clinical signs of MAHA preceded the diagnosis of cancer, and in two patients, CRMAHA indicated recurrent disease. All patients had severe hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Six patients experienced severe bone pain, and five patients had dyspnea. Systemic, 5-fluorouracil-based combination chemotherapy was initiated in six patients, which resulted in rapid initial response with significant improvement of clinical symptoms and blood values. Progression-free survival(PFS) of the whole cohort was 1.9 wk and median overall survival(OS) was 1.9 wk. For patients with chemotherapy, PFS was 9.0 wk and OS was 10.3 wk. The patient with the MSI-H tumor has been undergoing immunotherapy for more than 3 years.CONCLUSION The benefit of chemotherapy in CR-MAHA patients is limited. Immunotherapy for patients with MSI-H tumors may lead to long-term tumor control even in CRMAHA patients.

Circulating Levels of Hypoxia-regulating MicroRNAs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients with Hemolytic Anemia

Objective MicroRNAs are fine regulators for gene expression during the post-transcriptional stage in many autoimmune diseases.HypoxamiRs(miR-210 and miR-21)play an important role in hypoxia and in inflammation-associated hypoxia.Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that would potentiate many pathological complications,including hemolytic anemia.This study aimed to investigate the role of hypoxamiRs in SLE/hemolytic anemia patients.Methods This work was designed to analyze the circulating levels of↱the miR-210 and miR-21 expressions and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-α)in SLE/hemolytic anemia patients.SLE activity was evaluated for all patients by SLE Disease Activity Index(SLEDAI).Clinical manifestations/complications and serological/hematological investigations were reported.HIF-αconcentration was assayed by ELISA and expression of miR-21 and miR-210 was analyzed by qRT-PCR.Results The results indicated that the fold change of the miR-210/miR-21 expressions in plasma was significantly elevated in SLE/hemolytic anemia patients.A strong positive correlation between the miR-210 and miR-21 expression levels was also recorded.Among the associated-disease complications,hypertension,arthritis,oral ulcers,and serositis were associated with a high circulating miR-210 expression,while the occurrence of renal disorders was associated with the increased miR-21 expression.Furthermore,the HIF-αlevel was remarkably elevated in SLE/hemolytic anemia patients.A high positive correlation was recorded between the HIF-αconcentration and miR-210/miR-21 expression levels.The occurrence of oral ulcers,arthritis,and hypertension was associated with the increased HIF-αconcentration.On the other hand,SLEDAI and white blood cell count were positively correlated with miR-21/miR-210.The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was positively correlated with miR-21.Conclusion The dysregulation of the circulating miR-210/miR-210/HIF-1αlevels in SLE/hemolytic anemia patients advocated that the hypoxia pathway might have an essential role in the pathogenesis and complications of these diseases.

Drug-Induced Hemolytic Anemia: A Fatal Complication Further Under-Recognized in Sickle Cell Disease

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is commonly attributed to cephalosporins. Ceftriaxone is the most frequently administered cephalosporin in patients with sickle cell disease. We present a pediatric patient with severe DIIHA (hemoglobin < 2 g/dl) who survived. Since DIIHA often goes undiagnosed until late in the course, vigilance of DIIHA minimizes unnecessary diagnostic tests and therapies. DIIHA likely remains under-recognized in all patient subpopulations due to its rarity and overlapping presentations with other conditions. Distinction between exacerbation of chronic hemolysis and new onset of acute hemolysis poses a unique challenge in patients with sickle cell disease. A thorough analysis is warranted to better identify factors within the pediatric sickle cell population that may increase the predisposition for DIIHA, particularly due to ceftriaxone.

Clinical and serological characterization of autoimmune hemolytic anemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background Autoimmune hemolytic anemia （AIHA） is an uncommon complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation （allo-HSCT） which has only been reported in a few cases.We here aimed to explore its mechanism.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 296 patients who underwent allo-HSCT in our center from July 2010 to July 2012.Clinical manifestations were carefully reviewed and the response to currently available treatment approaches were evaluated.The survival and risk factors of AIHA patients after allo-HSCT were further analyzed.Results Twelve patients were diagnosed with AIHA at a median time of 100 days （15-720 days） after allo-HSCT.The incidence of AIHA after allo-HSCT was 4.1％.IgG antibody were detected in ten patients and IgM antibody in two patients.The two cold antibody AIHA patients had a better response to steroid corticoid only treatment and the ten warm antibody AIHA patients responded to corticosteroid treatment and adjustment of immunosuppressant therapy.Rituximab was shown to be effective for AIHA patients who failed conventional therapy.Survival analysis showed that the combination of AIHA in allo-HSCT patients hinted at poor survival.Cytomegalovirus （CMV） infection,graft-versus-host disease （GVHD） and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen （HLA） mismatch seemed to increase the risk of developing AIHA.Conclusions Patients who develop AIHA after allo-HSCT have poor survival compared to non-AIHA patients.Possible risk factors of AIHA are CMV infection,GVHD,and HLA mismatch.Rituximab is likely to be the effective treatment choice for the refractory patients.

Autoimmune gastritis presenting as iron deficiency anemia in childhood

AIM: To characterize clinical, laboratorial, and histological profile of pediatric autoimmune gastritis in the setting of unexplained iron deficiency anemia investigation.METHODS: A descriptive, observational study including pediatric patients with a diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis(positive parietal cell antibody and gastric corpus atrophy) established in a 6 year period(2006-2011) in the setting of refractory iron deficiency anemia(refractoriness to oral iron therapy for at least 6 mo and requirement for intravenous iron therapy) investigation, after exclusion of other potentially contributing causes of anemia. Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and anti-secretory therapy were also excluded. Data were retrospectively collected from clinical files, including: demographic data(age, gender, and ethnic background), past medical history, gastrointestinal symptoms, familial history, laboratorial evaluation(Hb, serum ferritin, serum gastrin, pepsinogen Ⅰ/ pepsinogen Ⅱ, B12 vitamin, intrinsic factor autoantibodies, thyroid autoantibodies, and anti-transglutaminase antibodies), and endoscopic and histological findings(HE, Periodic Acid-Schiff/Alcian blue, gastrin, chromogranin A and immunochemistry analysis for CD3, CD20 and CD68). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed(mean, median, and standard deviation).RESULTS: We report a case-series concerning 3 girls and 2 boys with a mean age of 13.6 ± 2.8 years(3 Caucasian and 2 African). One girl had type Ⅰ diabetes. Familial history was positive in 4/5 cases, respectively for autoimmune thyroiditis(2/5), sarcoidosis(1/5) and multiple myeloma(1/5). Laboratorial evaluation on admission included: Hb: 9.5 ± 0.7 g/d L; serum ferritin: 4.0 ± 0.9 ng/m L; serum gastrin: 393 ± 286 pg/m L; low pepsinogen Ⅰ/ pepsinogen Ⅱ ratio in 1/5 patients; normal vitamin B12 levels(analyzed in 3 patients). Endoscopy findings included: duodenal nodularity(2/5) and gastric fold softening(2/5), and histological evaluation showed corpus atrophic gastritis with lymphocytic infiltration(5/5), patchy oxyntic gland mononuclear cell infiltration(5/5), intestinal and/or pseudo-pyloric metaplasia in corpus mucosa(4/5), and enterochromaffin cell hyperplasia(4/5). Immunochemistry for gastrin on corpus biopsies was negative in all cases. Duodenal histology was normal. All biopsies were negative for H. pylori(Giemsa staining and cultural examination). CONCLUSION: We highlight autoimmune gastritis as a diagnosis to be considered when investigating refractory iron deficiency anemia in children, particularly in the setting of a personal/familial history of autoimmune disease, as well as the diagnostic contribution of a careful immunohistological evaluation.

Clinical profile of autoimmune hemolytic anemia with monoclonal gammopathy IgMk

Objective To explore the clinical features of autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA)with monoclonal gammopathy IgMk.Methods The clinical and laboratory features of 12 AIHA with monoclonal gammopathy Ig Mκwere retrospectively analyzed.Results 12 cases with monoclonal immunoglobulin Igmκwere found in 85 pa-

Alectinib-Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia in a Patient with Lung Adenocarcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Alectinib is a selective Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor used as standard therapy for ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma. Hemolytic anemia is considered a rare but significant adverse event of alectinib. Here, we report the case of a 78-year-old female with advanced ALK rearrangement-positive lung adenocarcinoma who developed grade 4 drug-induced hemolytic anemia after receiving alectinib as first-line therapy. We discontinued alectinib treatment and switched to brigatinib. As a result, anemia improved without recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma over one year.