[Four case reports of Biermer's anemia in West Africa]

The purpose of this report is to describe 4 cases of Biermer's anemia observed in West Africa over a 7-year period. Severe asthenia was the main clinical manifestation. Laboratory tests consistently demonstrated macrocytic anemia usually with a deep drop in hemoglobin levels ranging from 40 to 84 g/l associated with various degrees of thrombocytopenia or leukopenia. Other consistent findings were bone marrow megaloblastosis, serum vitamin B12 deficiency, and intrinsic factor antibodies. In most cases diagnosis was established on the basis of therapeutic tests with subsequent confirmation. Treatment using vitamin B12 therapy was successful in all cases. The authors recommend iron deficiency testing during the course of the disease and gastric biopsy during fibroscopy of upper digestive tract even if no macroscopic lesions are found.