An in vitro method to study the participation of various components in autoimmune hemolytic anemia

A method is described which allows for the in vitro evaluation of various etiological components in autoimmune hemolytic anemia. As an example of the applicability of the technique, erythrocytes and serum from a patient with an autoimmune hemolytic anemia suspected to be due to poliovirus III were tested with poliovirus III and complement. Incubation of the patient's cells with complement, poliovirus and autologous serum was required for optimal in vitro fragility. The method is proposed as a practical and convenient in vitro technique for evaluating the participation of individual components in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hemolytic anemias.