(6) Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia A Review of Clinical Features of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in Japan and Immunoserological Studies on Anti-erythrocyte Autoantibodies

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is characterized by the presence of the autoantibodies directed to red cells and the shortening of red cell survival in vivo. The autoantibodies are varied from one patient to the next with temperature requirement, specificity, chemical nature and complement dependency. The mechanisms by which, in the presence of the autoantibodies, red cells are lyzed intravascularly or sequestered and destroyed in the reticuloendothelial tissues are not completely understood. This paper deals, firstly with the clinical features of AIHA in Japan and, secondly, with immunoserological studies of autoantibodies with special reference to their roles played in the hemolysis in vivo.