Severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicating hereditary spherocytosis treated successfully with glucocorticoids and cyclosporine: a case report

BackgroundSevere autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicating hereditary spherocytosis is life threatening and has not been described in a case report. Here, we report a case in which this intractable disease was treated successfully with glucocorticoids and cyclosporine.Case presentationA 25-year-old female patient with hereditary spherocytosis developed severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia after respiratory syncytial virus infection. Her hemoglobin level was 26 g/L and various anti-red blood cell antibodies were detected in her serum, making blood matching difficult. Glucocorticoid monotherapy was ineffective. With the addition of cyclosporine (50 mg/12 h), the patient's hemoglobin level increased significantly and the symptoms associated with anemia were greatly relieved.ConclusionIn patients with severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia, especially when the presence of multiple anti-red blood cell antibodies and alloantibodies interferes with blood matching, a glucocorticoid-cyclosporine regimen may be tried.

Automated summary

We report a case of a 25-year-old female patient with severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicating hereditary spherocytosis, triggered by respiratory syncytial virus infection. The patient's hemoglobin level was very low and multiple anti-red blood cell antibodies were detected, making blood matching difficult. Combination therapy with glucocorticoids and cyclosporine effectively increased the hemoglobin level and relieved the anemia symptoms.