[Monoclonal origin of autoantibodies of the warm type in hemolytic autoimmune anemia]

In 59 patients with warm-type autoimmunohaemolytic anaemia classes and types of immunoglobulins, presence of complement, serological specificity of autoantibodies, and in 14 selected cases also IgG subclasses were determined. It was found that warm autoantibodies differed from anti-Rh alloantibodies. In 27 patients only one type of L chain was found but, in the light of complex investigations, the authors reached the conclusion that this result cannot be sufficient for accepting autoantibodies as monoclonal immunoglobulins, since in some of them 2 or 3 IgG subclasses and more than one serologic specificity were demonstrated. These observations indicate the need for more precise investigation methods for explaining the problem of monoclonal origin of warm autoantibodies.