Chapter 16: Hemolytic Anemias

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to Hemolytic Anemias, designed to help study important concepts from the lecture.

Acquired hemolytic anemia

A type of hemolytic anemia that arises from factors external to the red blood cells.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

A condition where the immune system produces antibodies against its own red blood cells.

Complement

A system of proteins that helps destroy pathogens, including the lysis of antibody-coated cells.

Extravascular hemolysis

Destruction of red blood cells primarily occurring outside the blood vessels, commonly in the spleen.

Intrinsic hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic anemia caused by defects within the red blood cells themselves, such as membrane or enzyme defects.

Isoimmune hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic anemia arising from antibodies formed in response to non-self antigens present on red blood cells, typically in the context of blood transfusion.

Methemoglobin reductase deficiency

A condition resulting from a deficiency of the enzyme that reduces methemoglobin back to hemoglobin, leading to an accumulation of methemoglobin.

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria

A condition characterized by hemolysis in response to cold due to the presence of a biphasic hemolysin.

Spherocytosis

A form of anemia characterized by the presence of spherocytes, which are red blood cells that are sphere-shaped and less flexible.

Pyruvate kinase deficiency

A genetic condition that affects red blood cell metabolism, leading to hemolytic anemia due to ATP deficiency.

Hemoglobinuria

The presence of hemoglobin in the urine, usually resulting from hemolysis.

G6PD deficiency

An inherited enzyme deficiency that can lead to hemolytic anemia under oxidative stress.

Acanthocytosis

The presence of acanthocytes, which are abnormal red blood cells with thorny projections, often related to lipid metabolism disorders.

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD)

A type of autoimmune hemolytic anemia where cold-reactive antibodies cause hemolysis.

Complement-mediated disease

Diseases caused by inappropriate activation of the complement system, leading to hemolysis and other complications.

Mannose-binding lectin pathway

A complement activation pathway initiated by the recognition of mannose on pathogens.

Thrombomodulin

A protein that regulates the actions of thrombin and plays a role in the modulation of coagulation and inflammation.

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)

A condition where maternal antibodies destroy fetal red blood cells, leading to anemia and jaundice.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

An enzyme that is increased in hemolytic anemia due to increased breakdown of red blood cells.

Haptoglobin

A protein that binds free hemoglobin released into the plasma and is decreased during hemolytic processes.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

A severe disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and thrombocytopenia.

Sickle cell anemia

A genetic disorder of red blood cells characterized by abnormal hemoglobin, leading to distorted (sickle-shaped) red blood cells.

Erythrocytic enzyme defects

Genetic disorders affecting enzymes in red blood cell metabolism, leading to hemolytic anemia.

Thalassemia

A genetic blood disorder causing reduced hemoglobin production, leading to anemia.