[Mixed-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia after splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

A 30-year-old woman was admitted because of anemia and jaundice in 1999. She had been diagnosed as having idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in 1996, but had shown no response to prednisolone (PSL). Subsequent splenectomy in 1998, followed by further treatment with PSL, had also been ineffective. On admission in 1999, the direct and indirect Coombs tests gave positive results, the cold agglutinin titer was high with anti-I specificity (IgM), and warm-type autoantibody (IgG) was positive. Autoagglutination of the patient's red blood cells was 3+ at 37 degrees C. A diagnosis of mixed-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) associated with ITP was made. Mixed-type AIHA occurring after splenectomy for ITP is very rare, only one case having been reported to date.