Amyloidosis associated with the nephrotic syndrome and transfusion reactions in a haemophiliac

Side effects of antihemophilic concentrates

Liver disease and thromboembolism are the most frequent and severe side effects associated with the use of clotting-factor concentrates in haemophiliacs. Knowledge and careful evaluation of the risk factors related to their development appear to be the most reasonable policy for prevention. themolysis due to significant isoantibody infusion and bleeding associated to abnormal platelet function occur more rarely during intensive replacement therapy with clotting factor concentrates. Finally, abnormalities of renal function have been observed in a number of patients, though they seem to be of minor clinical importance. These complications do not justify withdrawal or limitation of the very effective and life-changing use of concentrates. However, awareness of their occurrence and of their danger requires that specialized hemophilia centres carry out, at frequent intervals, clinical and laboratory testing of the target organs to allow an early detection.

Renal disorders in haemophilia A and B

Although haematuria is a relatively common symptom of hemophilia A and B, renal disease seemed to be a rarity and it has usually been held that this symptom was benign in nature. However detailed studies of renal function in a series of such patients using radiological and biochemical tests of renal function show significant differences compared to normal. These abnormalities seem to be associated with recurrent haematuria but do not appear to be related directly to replacement therapy with plasma concentrate and do not occur more frequently in patients who have received long term fibrinolytic inhibitors. Other rare renal disorders associated with haemophilia include nephrotic syndrome, trauma, acute tubular necrosis, analgesic nephropathy and chronic pyelonephritis.

Nephrotic syndrome associated with hypocomplementemia in a 4-year-old boy with hemophilia B

PURPOSE

The case of a 4-year-old boy with hemophilia B with inhibitor who developed nephrotic syndrome is described. The possible association between factor IX therapy and nephrotic syndrome in patients with hemophilia B is discussed.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A chart review of a 4-year-old boy with hemophilia B and an inhibitor who developed nephrotic syndrome with transient hypocomplementemia was performed. In addition, a literature search was undertaken to determine the prevalence of this association and possible etiologic factors.

RESULTS

Although the nephrotic syndrome was resistant to steroid therapy and Bebulin (Osterreichisches Institut für Haemoderivate Ges.M.B.H., Subsidiary of Immuno AG, Vienna, Austria) infusions were continued, the edema resolved and proteinuria decreased. Seven month later, proteinuria, accompanied by transient hypocomplementemia, increased again. A rise in factor IX inhibitor level was observed. The patient received no immunosuppressive therapy, and exhibited a continuous decrease in urinary protein excretion over the following months.

DISCUSSION

A discussion about possible differential diagnoses and a review of the literature are presented.

The Impact of Clotting Factor Concentrates on the Immune System in Individuals With Hemophilia

All reported studies to date, whether comparative or not, have shown a tendency toward a slower decrease in CD4+ numbers in patients receiving very high-purity agents with the rapidity in fall-off being affected by level of CD4+ numbers (low CD4+ numbers decreasing more rapidly), age (older persons showing more rapid CD4+ cell fall-off), and anti-HIV therapy. Clearly, these observations need to be extended in numbers, and the high-purity agents should also be similarly compared with the very high-purity therapies.

Cause of death in hemophilia A patients in the United States from 1968 to 1979

Death data on 949 hemophiliacs for the years 1968-1979 have been analyzed. The median age at death has increased from 33 to 55 years. There was no evidence of new diseases caused by the more intensive therapy during this time interval. The leading infectious disease was hepatitis, accounting for eight deaths. Only one acute hepatitis death was listed after 1974, when sensitive tests for hepatitis B antigen screening of plasma were implemented. Cirrhosis was a primary or associated cause of death in 76 cases (8%) and pneumonia was a primary or associated cause of death in 62 deaths (6.5%). The types of malignancies in hemophiliacs were similar to those in the male US population with no evidence of excessive retrovirus malignancies prior to infection with HIV-1.

Immune complexes in hemophilia

Circulating immune complexes (ICs), assayed by the L1210 enzyme-linked immunoassay, were detected in 48% of patients with hemophilia. A, 50% of patients with von Willebrand's disease, and in none of our patients with hemophilia B. Eighty-five % of the hemophilia A and B patients had mild to moderate disease with only one patient demonstrating a circulating inhibitor. No correlation was found between IC levels and hepatitis B infection, SGOT, disease severity, total quantity of factor VIII or IX infused, time interval from list infusion, or rheumatoid factor positivity. Although the nature of the ICs is not known, the similarity of IC levels between hemophilia A and von Willebrand's disease is discussed with regard to antibodies generated to non-procoagulant portions of the factor VIII molecule.

An adverse pulmonary reaction to cryoprecipitate in a hemophiliac

An adult with classif Hemophilia A experienced a very severe reaction to transfusion with cryoprecipitate which was manifested as an adverse pulmonary reaction with marked hypoxemia in spite of oxygen therapy. The patient had neither leukoagglutinins nor lymphocytoxic, anti-platelet, or anti-Gm antibodies. His IgA level was normal. The possibility that debris in the cryoprecipitate from leukocytes and platelets contributed to the reaction is discussed.

Blood--its derivatives and its problems--factor VIII

Unfortunately, all of the problems of the hemophiliac have not been solved by the availability of concentrated factor VIII products. Patients still are faced with the crippling effects of arthritis, problems with employment, problems with ignorance (both medical and lay), and an increased risk of premature death even in a sophisticated, treatment-oriented, community (Table 3). It can only be hoped that we can solve the problems of hepatitis transmission, availability, and economics so that concentrated forms of factor VIII can be made available to all patients with hemophilia. It seems appropriate to suggest that our severely affected patients should be placed on some prophylactic programs, since this would ease most of the long-term psychologic and physical disabilities common to this disease.

Acute anaphylaxis, pulmonary oedema, and intravascular haemolysis due to cryoprecipitate

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