Quantitation of red cell-bound immunoglobulins and complement in lymphoma patients

Quantitative ELISA may be useful for determining the amount of red blood cell (RBC)-associated immunoglobulins (Igs) in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). In idiopathic AIHA, there is about 20 times more RBC-associated IgG and complement than in normal persons. In patients with low-grade lymphomas (particularly, B-CLL and splenic marginal zone lymphoma) autoimmune hemolysis is a component of their anemia. In high-grade malignant lymphomas (i.e, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma), as well as in Hodgkin's disease, autoimmune hemolysis contributes little, if any, anemia. The quantitative ELISA for RBC-associated IgG and complement is useful for following the effects of treatment in patients with immune hemolysis.