BACKGROUND
Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) with hyperhemolysis is a potentially fatal complication resulting from alloimmunization that can cause severe hemolysis of both transfused and intrinsic red blood cells (RBCs). Patients with sickle cell disease often receive multiple RBC units during their lifetime and thus are likely to develop alloantibodies that increase the risk for DHTR. Treatment to decrease hemolysis includes intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), steroids, eculizumab, rituximab, and plasmapheresis in addition to erythropoietin (EPO), intravenous (IV) iron, vitamin B12, and folate to support erythropoiesis. RBC transfusion is preferably avoided in DHTR due to an increased risk of exacerbating the hemolysis.
CASE REPORT
We report a rare case of anti‐N and anti‐Doa immunoglobulin (Ig)G alloantibody–mediated life‐threatening DHTR with hyperhemolysis in a patient with hemoglobin SS after RBC transfusion for acute chest syndrome who was successfully treated with eculizumab and HBOC‐201 (Hemopure) in addition to steroids, IVIG, EPO, IV iron, and vitamin B12. HBOC‐201 (Hemopure) was successfully used as a RBC alternative in this patient.
CONCLUSION
Anti‐N and anti‐Doa IgG alloantibodies can rarely cause severe life‐threatening DHTR with hyperhemolysis. HBOC‐201 (Hemopure) can be a lifesaving alternative in this scenario. Our report also supports the use of eculizumab in DHTR; however, prospective studies are needed to determine the appropriate dose and sequence of eculizumab administration.
PR3 ANCA is a classic marker of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). There have been several recent reports of increased prevalence of PR3ANCA in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, the clinical implication of which is not well defined. We are reporting a case of 27-year-old Caucasian male with 14-year history of UC presenting with unilateral proptosis, conjunctival congestion, and chemosis who developed acute hemiparesis within three days of hospital admission, followed by rapid neurological deterioration correlating with brain imaging findings. Serologically he had atypical PANCA with high PR3 antibody titer with a negative infectious workup. His cerebral angiogram was normal but the brain biopsy showed necrotizing vasculitis. He was diagnosed with PR3 ANCA mediated cerebral and orbital vasculitis associated with UC. Treatment was initiated with high dose steroids, plasmapheresis, and cyclophosphamide. He improved significantly with residual left hemiparesis.
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a hematologic disorder characterized by an acquired somatic mutation in the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A gene which leads to a higher risk for increased venous and arterial thrombosis. Current treatment for PNH includes eculizumab. Pregnant patients who have PNH have higher risk for thrombosis and hemorrhage with both pregnancy and their underlying PNH. Treatment frequently poses conundrum. The safety and efficacy of eculizumab during pregnancy and breast feeding have not been extensively studied and contraception has been recommended due to potential for teratogenicity. We present a case of a patient who was safely on both eculizumab and modest prophylactic anticoagulation for 6 weeks post-partum.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.