Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2025
Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
Mixed autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in a COVID-19 patient
N Mohd Shukri1, N A F A A Ab Aziz2
1Hospital Tanah Merah, Department of Pathology and Transfusion Medicine, Malaysia. nuradilamohdshukri@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Mixed warm and cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) secondary to COVID-19 is rarely reported.
Case Report:
We present a case of a 65-year-old Malay lady with no known medical illness, who was admitted for COVID-19 category 3 and mixed warm and cold AIHA. She presented with lethargy, productive cough and on and off fever. Blood investigations showed severe anaemia with spurious macrocytosis, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and total bilirubin with indirect bilirubin predominance. On full blood picture (FBP), there was normocytic normochromic anaemia with reticulocytosis, red blood cells clumping and NRBC's were seen. Both anti-IgG and anti-C3d were positive for monospecific Coombs test. For indirect Coombs test, auto-IgG and cold agglutinin were detected.
Discussion:
These findings were consistent with mixed warm and cold AIHA. She was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, before being changed to high dose oral prednisolone. A total of 3 units packed cells were transfused.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
01:29Autoimmune Disorders
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
01:27Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...