An autopsy case of hemochromatosis and hepatoma combined with hereditary spherocytosis

Coinheritance of hereditary spherocytosis and reversibility of cirrhosis in a young female patient with hereditary hemochromatosis

Here we report a 33-years-old woman with hereditary spherocytosis and hemochromatosis due to homozygosity for the C282Y mutation of the HFE gene. The coinheritance of both conditions led to severe iron overload and liver cirrhosis at young age. The patient was treated by repeated phlebotomy, and reversibility of cirrhosis was documented by transient elastography. This report discusses the pathophysiology of iron accumulation in patients with hemolytic anemia combined with HFE C282Y homozygosity. The case indicates that patients with hematological disorders characterized by increased erythropoetic activity should be screened for HFE mutations.

Disparate phenotypic expression of ALAS2 R452H (nt 1407 G → A) in two brothers, one with severe sideroblastic anemia and iron overload, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma

We report the case of a man with severe X-linked sideroblastic anemia, severe iron overload, and hepatic cirrhosis who died of hepatocellular carcinoma. Evaluation of family members using DNA sequencing revealed that he was hemizygous for the novel ALAS2 mutation R452H (exon 9; nt 1407 G --> A). The proband's brother, an ALAS2 R452H hemizygote, had mild anemia and mild iron overload. Four female relatives were ALAS2 R452H heterozygotes, but they had mild or no anemia and no iron overload. Sequencing of TFR2, HFE, FPN1 (SLC40A1), HAMP, HJV, and the erythrocyte pyruvate kinase genes of family members was also performed. We thus detected the novel TFR2 missense mutation I449V (exon 10; nt 1345 A --> G) in the proband's wife and daughter, neither of whom had anemia or iron overload. Possible explanations for the disparate red blood cell and iron phenotypes of the proband and his family members are discussed.

Anemia and the liver. Hepatobiliary manifestations of anemia

Many types of hemolytic anemia may be associated with liver disease. Liver injury can be caused by the adherence of deformed or hemolyzed erythrocyses to hepatic vascular endothelium. Adhesion of large numbers of hemolyzed red blood cells to hepatic macrophages, or occlusion of hepatic sinusoids by fragmented red cells, can also result in injury of the liver. Thrombosis of the hepatic or portal vein is associated with some types of hemolytic anemia, and can cause severe liner injury. These are some examples of hepatic injury that can be caused by hemolytic anemias. This article discusses some aspects of liver disease that is associated with sickle cell anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, hereditary spherocytosis, and HELLP syndrome.

Sickle cell anemia and hematological neoplasias

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a congenital hemolytic anemia with various clinical findings. In some cases hematological neoplasias and some solid tumors may accompany this disease but these have rarely been reported. Here we report five cases with SCD and accompanying hematological neoplasias including lymphoblastic lymphoma, multiple myeloma and hairy cell leukemia in four cases with sickle cell trait and one case of Hodgkin' disease in sickle cell anemia. All of the cases except one had no previously diagnosed congenital hemolytic anemia and/or family history. Peripheral blood findings suggestive for an underlying hemolytic anemia were the first step and the most important initial lead in the detection of SCD. Severe musculoskeletal signs during the first presentation was seen in the lymphoma case, residual renal dysfunction after remission of multiple myeloma, and areas of infarction in the spleen in CT scans in the patient with sickle cell anemia were the most interesting findings in these cases. A standard therapeutic approach without any additional toxicity was relevant in all cases. Detailed clinical presentation and outcome of these five cases are documented here and the literature has been reviewed.

Hemochromatosis heterozygotes may have significant iron overload when they also have hereditary spherocytosis

A family is described in which four of six siblings have both hereditary spherocytosis and evidence of abnormal iron metabolism. Three of the four have significant iron overload. HLA typing, which permits the detection of the gene for hemochromatosis, indicates that all family members with hereditary spherocytosis who have abnormal iron metabolism or significant iron overload are heterozygous for the hemochromatosis gene. Family members having hereditary spherocytosis but not the gene for hemochromatosis have normal iron studies as does a family member heterozygous for hemochromatosis but no hereditary spherocytosis. Based on the findings in this kindred, it appears that the combination of chronic hemolysis and the gene for hemochromatosis results in increased iron absorption that may lead to significant iron overload.

Hepatobiliary system in sickle cell disease

This paper reviews the literature reports concerning sickle cell disease and the hepatobiliary system. Sickle cell disease can cause progressive injury to the liver with significant fibrosis, often cirrhosis, and decreased liver function by adulthood. Asymptomatic patients commonly have hepatomegaly and elevated liver enzyme levels. The presence of sickle cell disease obscures features otherwise useful in differential diagnosis. Acute episodes of the disease selectively affect the liver in 10% of patients, causing hepatic crisis with abdominal pain, nausea, fever, jaundice, and transaminase elevation. Viral hepatitis is often clinically indistinguishable from hepatic crisis, but in viral hepatitis the abdominal pain is usually less, the jaundice tends to be more severe, and the transaminase elevation more prolonged. The two can be distinguished by serology and liver biopsy. Furthermore, acute cholecystitis or choledocholithiasis may have clinical and laboratory features similar to sickle cell hepatic crisis or viral hepatitis. By adulthood, 50%-70% of sickle cell patients have gallstones. Elective cholecystectomy is indicated for those who are symptomatic, but, because of operative mortality, there is disagreement concerning surgery for asymptomatic patients. The literature contains nine well-documented cases of acute hepatic failure related to sickle cell disease. The mechanism is unclear; however, as the necrosis is often not severe, a metabolic problem is suggested.