Embarazo y síndrome de Evans: a propósito de un caso / Pregnancy and Evans'syndrome: case report

El síndrome de Evans es la coexistencia de trombocitopenia autoinmune con anemia hemolítica autoinmune. Raramente se presenta durante el curso de un embarazo. Esto dificulta las opciones terapéuticas, dado que algunos de los agentes utilizados para el tratamiento son teratogénicos. Los efectos del síndrome de Evans en el feto y recién nacido se desconocen dado el escaso número de casos publicados. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con diagnóstico preconcepcional de síndrome de Evans, que presenta una crisis hemolítica en el curso de una gestación, y diagnóstico de restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU), en tratamiento en la Clínica Ginecotocológica "A" del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR), de Montevideo, Uruguay. Se analizan opciones terapéuticas y evolución, así como publicaciones previas...

Evans' syndrome is the coexistence of autoimmune thrombocytopenia with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It is rarely found during the course of a pregnancy. This makes treatment options more difficult, since some therapeutic drugs are teratogenic. The effects of Evans' syndrome in the fetus and newborn are unknown given the low number of reported cases. We report the case of a patient with preconceptional diagnosis of Evans' syndrome, who develops a hemolytic crisis during the course of a pregnancy, and diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), treated at Clinica Ginecotocologica "A" at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center, in Montevideo, Uruguay. Treatment options and evolution are analyzed, as well as previous reports...

Inflamação, hemólise e ativação celular: importância nos eventos vasculares da anemia falciforme / Inflammation, cellular activation and hemolysis: importance in vascular events of sickle cell anemia

A anemia falciforme (AF) é uma desordem genética caracterizada por hemólise, estresse oxidativo, infecções recorrentes, estado inflamatório crônico e eventos de oclusão vascular, com ocorrência de crises de dor, danos teciduais e possibilidade de óbito precoce. Os eventos vasculares na AF envolvem a participação de hemácias, leucócitos, células endoteliais, plaquetas, fatores da coagulação e proteínas plasmáticas. Neste estudo, avaliou-se o papel de marcadores hematológicos, de hemólise, inflamação e de ativação celular na fisiopatologia da ativação endotelial na AF. Foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal, seguido por caso controle. Quarenta e cinco (45) indivíduos com AF em estado estável, com idade média 20,5 anos participaram do estudo. O perfil de hemoglobinas foi confirmado por HPLC. Os marcadores bioquímicos foram investigados por kits específicos; a expressão de moléculas na superfície dos leucócitos por citometria de fluxo e a quantificação de citocinas e moléculas de adesão solúveis por ELISA. Níveis elevados de lactato desidrogenase (LDH) e bilirrubinas foram associados a eventos de Síndrome Torácica Aguda e úlcera de perna, respectivamente. A leucocitose foi observada em pacientes com histórico de hepatomegalia e úlcera de perna. Os pacientes com histórico de terapia transfusional apresentaram concentrações aumentadas da aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e contagem de reticulócitos. Os níveis diminuídos de HDL estiveram associados a eventos de sequestro esplênico e esplenomegalia. A expressão do CD11b em neutrófilos, linfócitos e monócitos foi maior nos pacientes que nos controles; entretanto, a expressão do CD62L nos neutrófilos foi menor nos pacientes do que nos controles antes e após o desafio com o lipopolissacarídeo bacteriano (LPS). A expressão do CD11b e CD32 em neutrófilos teve correlação positiva com plaquetas e com o LDL, respectivamente. A expressão do CD62L em neutrófilos apresentou correlação negativa com plaquetas. A expressão do CD11b e CD18 em linfócitos teve correlação positiva com o ácido úrico e com a molécula de adesão vascular solúvel 1 (VCAM-1s), respectivamente. A expressão do CD62L em linfócitos foi negativamente correlacionada com o número de plaquetas, molécula de adesão intercelular solúvel 1 (ICAM-1s) e TNF-alfa. A expressão do CD32 em monócitos foi menor nos pacientes que nos controles e apresentou correlação negativa com a AST e hemoglobina S. A expressão reduzida do CD32 em monócitos de pacientes foi associada ao aumento da LDH, enquanto que a expressão do CD62L nessas células apresentou correlação positiva com o HDL e com as concentrações de hemoglobina. Os níveis de IL-18 e do ácido úrico foram associados a marcadores de hemólise, de disfunção endotelial e citocinas e podem representar a participação do complexo inflammasome. Os resultados apresentados sugerem o papel importante de biomarcadores na avaliação do perfil clínico de pacientes com AF, além de sugerir a provável influência de moléculas expressas na superfície de leucócitos, da IL-18 e do ácido úrico no processo inflamatório crônico e na gravidade clínica da AF. Acreditamos que a interação desses biomarcadores envolve processos complexos relacionados à hemólise, inflamação e ativação celular com importância na avaliação da gravidade dos eventos vasculares presentes na AF. Em conjunto, todos esses marcadores podem ser considerados como alvos terapêuticos promissores em intervenções clínicas futuras na doença.

Hidrops fetal: autoinmune: a propósito de un caso / Fetal hidrops: autoimmune: a purpose of a case

El hidrops es un transtorno caracterizado por una acumulación excesiva de líquido en los compartimientos extravasculares fetales y la cavidad corporal del feto, que dependen de las alteraciones patológicas de los órganos del mismo variando según la gravedad del proceso. Presentando grados variables de anasarca fetal, ascitis, derrame pericardico, edema placentario y polihidramnios. No estando ciertamente comprobado su fisiopatología, actualmente se postula que la eritropoyesis medular, sigue a la anemia fetal, los tejidos erotropoyéticos y fibroblásticos reemplazan el parénquima hepático, provocando hepatomegalia, hipertensión venosa portal, lo que conlleva a la ascitis fetal. La mortalidad es alta dependiendo de la etiología, entre 50-95 por ciento. Hay dos tipos de Hidrops Fetal, Inmune: Rh sensibilizado (eritroblastosis fetal); No Inmune: Talasemia, defecto estructural, arritmia cardíaca. El que se presenta a continuación es el tipo inmune, en una paciente femenina de 17 años de edad quien consulta por presentar contracciones uterinas dolorosas y pérdida de líquido anmiótico, de 6 horas de evolución; su incidencia está condicionada por el paso transplacentario de anticuerpos IgG de origen materno que se unen a los eritrocitos fetales, destruyéndolos; señalándose que el 98 por ciento de la enfermedad hemolitica del neonato guarda relación con incompatibilidad Rh y ABO y el 2 por ciento depende de anticuerpos irregulares; siendo una rareza en los países desarrollados. Por ello, en vista de que esta patología es poco frecuente decidimos presentar este caso y hacer una revisión detallado de la literatura internacional actual.

Rabbit IgG antibodies against Phospholipase A2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus neutralize the lethal activity of the venom

Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) (South American rattlesnake) venom possesses myotoxic and neurotoxic activities, both of which are also expressed by crotoxin, the principal toxin of this venom. Crotoxin contains a basic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and a non toxic acidic protein, crotapotin. We have produced and investigated the ability of IgG antibodies raised in rabbits against PLA2 to neutralize the lethality of the whole venom. PLA2 was isolated by gel filtration chromatography (Sephadex G-75). Specific antibodies were obtained by subcutaneous and intramuscular inoculation of PLA2 (700 µg) with Freund adjuvant. Groups of six mice (20 + 2 g) were inoculated with 0.5 ml i.p. of C. d. t. venom (4 µg) or a mixture of venom that had been preincubated with the desired volume of IgG antibodies. Mortality, recorded 24 and 48 h after inoculation, showed that IgG anti-PLA2 were more effective than anticrotalic serum in neutralizing the lethal activity. These results demonstrate that it could be possible to obtain an anti-venom made by specific antibodies with a high level of protection against the lethal component of C.d.t. venom, and/or the inclusion of these antibodies as a supplement in heterologous anti-venoms

El veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) (Cascabel de Sud América) posee actividad miotóxica y neurotóxica, actividades que también exhibe el complejo crotoxina, principal componente tóxico de este veneno. El complejo crotoxina está constituido por una fosfolipasa A2 básica (PLA2) y una proteína acídica no tóxica, el crotapotín. En este trabajo se estudió la capacidad neutralizante de anticuerpos IgG anti-PLA2 sobre la letalidad inducida por el veneno entero. El antígeno PLA2, fue aislado por cromatografía de filtración en gel (Sephadex G-75). Se inocularon conejos machos por vía subcutánea e intramuscular, con 700 µg de PLA2 y adyuvante para la obtención de anticuerpos específicos. La capacidad neutralizante del antisuero se analizó en ratones por inoculación con diluciones de veneno entero preincubado con un volumen adecuado de anticuerpos IgG anti-PLA2. Se inocularon ratones controles con 0.5 ml i.p. de veneno (4 µg.ml-1). El número de muertes fue contabilizado a las 24 y 48 h posteriores a la inoculación, demostrándose que la capacidad neutralizante de los anticuerpos IgG anti-PLA2 fue superior a la obtenida con el antiveneno crotálico. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran la potencial aplicación de antivenenos constituidos por anticuerpos específicos contra PLA2, y/o la inclusión de estos anticuerpos como suplementos en antivenenos polivalentes

Heme and innate immunity: new insights for an old molecule

Hemolytic episodes such as sickle cell disease, malaria and ischemia-reperfusion occurrence are often associated to the statement of an inflammatory response which may develop or not to a chronic inflammatory status. Although these pathological states are triggered by distinct etiological agents, all of them are associated to high levels of free heme in circulation. In this review, we aim to focus the very recent achievements that have led to the statement of free heme as a proinflammatory molecule, which may play a central role during the onset and/or persistance of inflammation during these pathologies.

Heme and innate immunity: new insights for an old molecule

Hemolytic episodes such as sickle cell disease, malaria and ischemia-reperfusion occurrence are often associated to the statement of an inflammatory response which may develop or not to a chronic inflammatory status. Although these pathological states are triggered by distinct etiological agents, all of them are associated to high levels of free heme in circulation. In this review, we aim to focus the very recent achievements that have led to the statement of free heme as a proinflammatory molecule, which may play a central role during the onset and/or persistance of inflammation during these pathologies.

Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions due to Multiple Alloantibodies Including Anti-E, Anti-c and Anti-Jk(b)

We report a case of two consecutive episodes of acute hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) due to multiple alloantibodies in a 34-yr-old man who suffered from avascular necrosis of left femoral head. He received five units of packed red blood cells (RBCs) during surgery. Then the transfusion of packed RBCs was required nine days after the surgery because of the unexplained drop in hemoglobin level. The transfusion of the first two units resulted in fever and brown-colored urine, but he received the transfusion of another packed RBCs the next day. He experienced even more severe symptoms during the transfusion of the first unit. We performed antibody screening test, and it showed positive results. Multiple alloantibodies including anti-E, anti-c and anti-Jk(b) were detected by antibody identification study. Acute HTRs due to multiple alloantibodies were diagnosed, and the supportive cares were done for 6 days. We suggest the antibody screening test should be included in the panel of pretransfusion tests for safer transfusion, and it is particularly mandatory for the patients with multiple transfusions, pregnant women, and preoperative patients.

Immunity comparison of both epidemic influenza virus type-A strains circulating in Brazil, in 1991 and 1995

Influenza is a viral disease characterized by a high level of virus dissemination among susceptible hosts - fowls, mammalians and humans - in epidemic periods. Antigenic variations in the viral hemagglutinin (HA) are epidemiologically important. A single radial hemolysis (SRH) method was carried to compare type-A (H3N2) viral strains isolated in the city of São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in different periods of time (1991 and 1995). Stored sera sample collected in 1993 from 60 individuals, before and two weeks after their vaccination against A/SP/1/91 influenza virus, were evaluated by this method. Antibody levels evaluated by SRH showed no significant differences between population vaccinated with...

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Immune hemolytic anemia can be either isoimmune or autoimmune. Autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHA) consist of group of disorders whose common characteristics are the presence of an antibody which in turn causes short red blood cell (RBC) life. The rate and site of hemolysis and hence the clinical manifestations depends on the type of antibody attached and its propensity to fix complement. Antibodies of the IgG class are most commonly responsible for AIHA in children. Rh erythrocyte antigen is involved in more than 70% of cases. Since the antibody has its maximal activity at 37 degrees C, the resultant hemolysis is called warm antibody induced hemolytic anemia. This is a severe life threatening condition, the clinical features are: sudden onset of pallor, jaundice and dark urine. The cornerstone of diagnosis is a positive Coomb's antiglobulin test in the presence of hemolysis. Coomb's test has false negative and false positive rates in about 2-4% and 8% of all cases respectively. The modalities for treatment of warm AIHA include blood transfusion, steroid therapy, intravenous gammaglobulin, plasma-pheresis and splenectomy. The choice depends on the severity of the disease and child's response to therapy.

A sensitive and specific immunoassay for the measurement of the antibodies present in horse antivenoms endowed with the capacity to block the phospholipase A2-dependent hemolysis induced by snake venoms

Phospholipase A2(PLA2), a component of most snake venom toxins, cleaves 3-sn-phosphoglycerides releasing lysophosphatidyl-choline. The indirect quantitative assay method for PLA2 was standardized for specific antivenom titration in a fast and sensitive assay by the similarity with the hemolysis induced by PLA2 and by complement system in sheep erythrocytes. The curves obtained by plotting the degree of hemolysis against the doses of snake venom are concave to the abscissa to the abscissa axis following an equation similar to that previously described for the hemolysis induced by the C system. We observed that venoms of some Bothrops, Crotalus and Micrurus species contained around 1 X 10(3) to 10(4) Z/mg of venom, while the venom of Naja contained over one million Z/mg. Antibodies against PLA2 were titrated by incubating amounts of venom predetermined to give 1 to 5 Z with various dilutions of the antivenoms, and the remaining active PLA2 was determined in the hemolytic assay. We observed the following: a) the antivenoms contained specific antibodies against the PLA2 present in the corresponding venoms; b) cross-reactivity was not detected among PLA2 epitopes from venoms and nonspecific antivenoms: and c) the assay quantitatively performed determined the specific antibodies directed to epitopes on the molecule of PLA2. The method described in this highly specific, sensitive and reproducible, besides being fast and inexpensive.