Schmittau KM, Giordano L. Epstein-Barr Virus-induced Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria in a 17-Year-old Male.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2023;
45:e1014-e1017. [PMID:
37278572 DOI:
10.1097/mph.0000000000002687]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria is a rare autoimmune hemolytic anemia seen almost exclusively in children under 5 years of age after a viral illness. It is mediated by a biphasic polyclonal autoantibody against red blood cells, which causes severe hemolysis that typically self-resolves within 2 weeks without recurrence. While laboratory identification of the aforementioned antibody, the Donath Landsteiner antibody, would confirm this diagnosis, a negative test does not rule out this condition in the appropriate clinical context. We report on the rare occurrence of a severe presentation of paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria in a 17-year-old male with Epstein-Barr virus infection.
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