A Complex Case of Anti-e Mimicking Autoantibody Development Leading to Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: Case Report

Newly diagnosed autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) develops in 1-3 individuals per 100,000 people per year. Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) is the most common type of AIHA, accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. This report outlines a complex presentation of DAT-negative, anti-e-mimicking autoantibody mediated WAIHA following a transient viral infection in an adult male patient with no prior transfusions.

The 55-year-old male patient presented with several weeks of flu-like symptoms followed by jaundice, dyspnea, and progressive fatigue. Initial laboratory workup revealed hemolytic anemia, and subsequent serologic testing identified a warm autoantibody with anti-C specificity, but was ultimately consistent with an anti-e mediated WAIHA.

This report highlights a complex case of a patient with an autoantibody mimicking anti-e associated WAIHA and the challenge of identifying suitable transfusion options.