Auto-antibodies in acquired haemolytic anaemia

Sir John Dacie MD, FRS, FRCP, FRCPath

Prof. Sir John Dacie was one of the most distinguished haematologists of the 20th century. He died on 12 February 2005 at the age of 92. This annotation is intended to give an impression of his career, and his role in the development of haematology in the UK and beyond. It describes his approach to haematological practise, taking account of both clinical and laboratory aspects, and reviews his published works over a range of haematological topics.

Metabolic changes in red blood cells in malignant lymphomas

Serum copper levels (SCL) which are concomitantly related to red blood cell free copper are significantly increased in some malignant lymphomas in the phase of activity. This results in a profound inhibition of red cell key glycolytic enzymes, hexokinase (Hx) being the most sensitive. Fifteen patients (eight with Hodgkin's disease and seven with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) were studied for serum and red cell copper concentrations and Hx activity. The mean red cell life span was determined using 51Cr labelled red cells. The resulting data shows that in active disease an increase in SCL was associated with a decrease in Hx activity and a shortened red cell survival. In these cases there was no evidence of autoimmune phenomena or of direct bone marrow involvement by the disease. It is suggested that the increase in copper levels results in a shortened red cell life span through a copper-induced inhibition of red cell Hx.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemias. II. Warm haemolysins--serological and immunochemical investigations and 51Cr studies

Warm antibodies capable of agglutinating and haemolysing enzyme-treated cells only are described. It is shown that they form a separate antibody category among the red cell autoantibodies. Their serological behaviour and immunochemical characteristics as well as their significance in vivo are studied and discussed.

Positive direct Coombs test induced by phenylhydrazine

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