[Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and chronic giant cell hepatitis]. / Autoimúnna hemolytická anémia a chronická obrovskobunková hepatitída.

The authors describe a case report of a six months old boy with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and giant cell hepatitis. This is a very rare syndrome in infancy. After eleven months of intensive immunosuppressive treatment (glucocorticoids, cyclosporin A, azathioprin, intravenous immunoglobulins, cyclophosphamid) no improvement of hemolysis was observed and therefore splenectomy was indicated. 1 year after the treatment was finished the patient is in good general condition and his hematologic and biochemical parameters are physiological.

[Blood group Du]. / Aktuálne problémy krvnej skupiny Du.

When examining blood group D, sensitive methods must be used which will detect false Du as D positive. When these methods are used the incidence of true Du is low, 1-2 pro mille. Moreover Du positive erythrocytes are practically not immunogenic, they may only be able to stimulate a secondary immune response, as easily revealed during antibody screening and during cross-matching. Their immunoreactivity is also low, a passively administered anti-D antibody does not eliminate them from the circulation. The clinical impact of true Du is therefore doubtful. There are also doubts as to the practical value of examination of Du. The authors submit their views on different clinical situations which concern donors and recipients of blood transfusions, pregnant women and neonates.