Overview Sickle cell crises are acute episodes of severe illness that occur in patients with sickle cell disease. These episodes are typically caused by vaso-occlusion, hemolysis or bone marrow suppression. Vaso-occlusive crisis A vaso-occlusive crisis is caused by acute occlusion…
A membranopathy that is caused by a nine-amino acid deletion at the junction of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of the band 3 protein
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is caused by clonal defects in the RBC membrane protein (GPI), which is responsible for inactivating complement. This defect increases activation of complement and intravascular haemolysis.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked recessive condition that is characterized by reduced levels of the antioxidant NADH. This deficiency makes red blood cells susceptible to oxidative stress, causing hemolysis, which can be triggered by certain infections, drugs, and foods.…
Hereditary spherocytosis is an autosomal dominant red blood cell membranopathy that is caused by a lack of proteins that have vertical interactions (ankyrin, spectrin, and band 3) in the red cell membranes. Red blood cells that lack these proteins lose…
Drug-induced haemolytic anaemia is a Coombs-positive anaemia that is linked to drug use.
Cold-agglutinin haemolytic anaemia occurs when IgM molecules are produced against red blood cells. The IgM molecules activate complement, leading to intravascular haemolysis.
Warm-agglutinin haemolytic anaemia (warm coombs positive anaemia) occurs when IgG antibodies are produced against red blood cells. These tagged red blood cells are destroyed in the spleen (extravascular hemolysis), leading to anaemia. It is usually seen in lymphoproliferative disorders and…
