Mycophenolate mofetil induced remission in steroid-refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Abstract

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disease that is seen in 1/10.000 people and characterized by forming antibodies against red blood cells and degradation of these red blood cells in reticuloendothelial system. Even autoimmune diseases can accompany, it is seen usually idiopathic. Paleness due to anemia, jaundice, tachycardia, darkening in urine color, hepatosplenomegaly are frequently seen clinical findings. Clinically normochrome and normocytic anemia, reticulocytosis, polychromasia in peripheral smear, spherocytes, indirect hyperbilirubinemia and increased lactate dehydrogenase are seen. Direct coombs test is the diagnostic test. Steroids are the first line drugs in treatment. The dosage and the treatment duration is formed according to patient's clinical situation. The treatment is checked by complete blood count, reticulocyte and Coombs test. Immunosuppressor treatments are given to patients that don't respond to treatment in 4-6 weeks or less patients who has recurrence at the time of decreasing the treatment dosage of corticosteroids. In few patient, that did not respond steroids, immunosuppressive treatments are used. Here, we present a patient, who is diagnosed with AIHA that we couldn't manage remission by steroid treatment, and no response to rituxumab as an immunosuppressor, but treated successfully with microphenolat mofetil.