Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia - warm (IgG) vs cold (IgM) mechanisms
Core concept
- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) classified by the temperature at which the autoantibody binds best and the mechanism of red cell destruction
- Warm AIHA: IgG antibody, binds optimally at 37C -> extravascular haemolysis (splenic macrophage Fc-receptor-mediated destruction)
- Cold AIHA (cold agglutinin disease): IgM antibody, binds optimally at cold temperatures (peripheries) -> fixes complement -> intravascular haemolysis (C5b-9 MAC) plus some extravascular clearance (hepatic, C3b-mediated)
3 more sections, plus exam facts
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