A negative direct antiglobulin test with strong IgG red cell autoantibodies present in the serum of a patient with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

Br J Haematol. 1981 Nov;49(3):383-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1981.tb07240.x.

Abstract

The case is presented of a boy with an autoimmune haemolytic anaemia of 10 years duration. He had a positive direct antiglobulin test with IgG and complement detected on the red cells and with IgG autoantibodies in the serum. During a recent episode of severe haemolysis, the Hb level fell to 3.8 g/dl and the direct antiglobulin test became negative although his autoantibodies still reacted with all the red cells in a panel. The serum reacted more strongly with C- and e-positive cells. The Rh phenotype of the patient was CcDee as it had always been. Possible explanations of the unexpected findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / immunology*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Autoantibodies / analysis*
  • Coombs Test
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Hemoglobinometry
  • Hemolysis
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis*
  • Male
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System