Use of hyperbaric oxygenation as an adjunctive treatment for severe pernicious anaemia in a bloodless medicine patient.

Severe anaemia in patients who cannot receive blood transfusion is an indication for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). Most reports of the use of HBO for anaemia involve patients with acute blood loss. This report details a case of HBO used for a patient with severe pernicious anaemia. A 35-year-old Jehovah's Witnesses believer presented to a hospital with fatigue, dyspnoea and haemoglobin of 26 g/L. She was diagnosed with pernicious anaemia. As she could not receive blood transfusion due to her religious beliefs, vitamin B12 supplementation and HBO were administered and resulted in significant improvement in her condition. The mechanisms of action of HBO, including increased systemic plasma oxygenation, can alleviate signs and symptoms of anaemia regardless of its aetiology. HBO administration can greatly enhance the plasma arterial oxygen content, leading to clinical improvement in patients with anaemia who cannot receive blood transfusion.

Pancytopenia and TTP-like picture secondary to pernicious anaemia.

A 21-year-old man presented to the emergency department with generalised weakness, weight loss and decreased appetite for few weeks. He had evidence of severe pancytopenia and haemolysis. His peripheral smear with many schistocytes was suspicious for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). He was supported with blood transfusions and daily plasmapheresis. His platelet counts worsened despite 4 days of therapy. Bone marrow biopsy was significant for hypercellular bone marrow with megaloblastic changes. Further workup revealed normal ADAMTS13 level, low vitamin B12, positive intrinsic factor antibodies and high methylmalonic acid. Diagnosis of pernicious anaemia was established and he was started on daily treatment with intramuscular vitamin B12 which subsequently improved his symptoms and haematological parameters. This report highlights the importance of checking vitamin B12 level in patients presenting with pancytopenia and TTP-like picture before making a diagnosis of TTP.

Pernicious anemia associated with cryptogenic cirrhosis: Two case reports and a literature review.

RATIONALE: Pernicious anemia (PA) is an autoimmune gastritis that results from the destruction of gastric parietal cells and the associated lack of an intrinsic factor to bind ingested vitamin B12. While an association between PA and various liver diseases has been rarely reported, reports of associated diseases include primary biliary cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and Interferon-treated hepatitis C. We present 2 cases of PA associated with cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC), which has not been previously reported in the literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 42-year-old man presented with fatigue, pallor, and sustained abdominal distension that had persisted for 15 days. An 87-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for an unsteady gait and loss of appetite that had persisted for 20 days. DIAGNOSES: Symptoms, laboratory tests, and imaging findings for both patients were indicative of PA and CC.Both had neurological and psychiatric symptoms during hospitalization that were ultimately linked to a vitamin B12 deficiency but not hepatic encephalopathy. INTERVENTIONS: Both patients received intramuscular injections of vitamin B12. OUTCOMES: Hemoglobin levels of the 2 patients increased gradually, and their neurological symptoms were alleviated. LESSONS: PA associated with a liver disease is rare, and the underlying mechanism can only now be clarified. We speculate that autoimmune dysfunction and chronic vitamin B12 deficiency caused by PA might be unique causes of liver cirrhosis. Additional investigations are needed to verify these findings.

Cobalamin deficiency presenting with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) features: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Cobalamin deficiency may result in hematologic characteristics similar to thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). To facilitate diagnosis, we reviewed reported cases of acquired cobalamin deficiency presenting with TMA features (c.def-TMA). METHODS: A literature search identified reports of c.def-TMA. Deficiency was defined as B12 levels of <118 pmol/L. Corrected reticulocyte counts and reticulocyte production indexes were calculated. Clinical features were presented as proportion abnormal and results summarized as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR). RESULTS: Patient level data was extracted from 41 identified cases. Median age (years) was 43 (30-55) with 21/41 (51%) being female. Cobalamin deficiency was noted in 35/40 (87.5%) but fold increases in MMA and HC were 30 and 6, respectively. The etiology was pernicious anemia in 28/41 (68%) cases. Anemia was both universal and severe, with hemoglobin levels of 55 g/L (4.7-6.6). Hypersegmented neutrophils were noted in 23/37 (62%), schistocytes in 29/38 (76%) and median LDH levels 3981 U/L (2004-5467). The RPI was <3.0% in all patients. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 33/41 (80.5%) with a median platelet count of 91 × 109/L (42-112). Plasma infusion or exchange was initiated in 14/41 (34%) with associated complications in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Reticulocytopenia (RPI of <3.0%) was a universal finding that aids in differentiating c.def-TMA from other causes of hemolysis. C.def-TMA was associated with severe anemia, generally mild-moderate thrombocytopenia, and significant elevations in LDH.

An acute transfusion reaction.

We present the case of a 67-year-old man who suffered an acute anaphylactic reaction during red cell transfusion due to the presence of anti-IgA antibodies. The incidence and clinical relevance of anti-IgA antibodies in IgA deficiency is reviewed, and the wider investigation and management of acute transfusion reactions is also discussed. This case highlights the need to consider the potential risks of blood component transfusion against the purported benefit.

Venous thromboembolism and hyperhomocysteinemia as first manifestation of pernicious anemia: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia has been suspected of favoring thrombosis. Several case-control studies and even a meta-analysis have confirmed a link between venous thrombosis and hyperhomocysteinemia. Homocysteine is due to genetic and acquired factors (poor diet in folate and vitamin B12, older age, renal impairment, thyroid diseases, and malignancies) induced by the intake and the concentrations of vitamin B9 or B12 in the majority of cases. CASES PRESENTATION: We report the cases of four Moroccan patients who presented with acute vein thrombosis of different sites: a 34-year-old man, a 60-year-old man, a 58-year-old man, and a 47-year-old woman. All patients had a low level of cobalamin with marked hyperhomocysteinemia with normal serum and red cell folic acid. Venous thrombosis revealed pernicious anemia in all patients. Their low levels of cobalamin, atrophic gastritis, and positive results for gastric parietal cell antibodies confirmed the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. There was no evidence of immobilization, recent surgery, malignancy, antiphospholipid antibody, myeloproliferative disorder, or hormone replacement therapy. No deficiencies in protein C and protein S were detected; they had normal antithrombin III function and factor V Leiden; no prothrombin gene mutations were detected. Treatment included orally administered anticoagulation therapy and cobalamin supplementation. The outcome was favorable in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: These reports demonstrate that pernicious anemia, on its own, can lead to hyperhomocysteinemia that is significant enough to lead to thrombosis. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of the development of thrombosis in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia related to Biermer disease would help us to identify patients at risk and to treat them accordingly. The literature concerning the relationship between homocysteine and venous thrombosis is briefly reviewed.

The Lived Experience of Anemia Without a Cause.

This article explores anemia without an obvious cause from two perspectives: a patient and the evidence. Although evidence is required to drive favorable patient outcomes, the focus on evidence often hides the patient experience during diagnosis and treatment. Knowledge of experience with evidence can provide a deeper perspective for clinical decision making and meet nursing's ethical mandate to relieve suffering. Although one patient experience does not reflect every patient experience, this patient's experience demonstrates how difficult and dark anemia can be.

Advances in mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of pernicious anemia.

Pernicious anemia (PA) is an entity initially described in 1849 as a condition that consisted of pallor, weakness, and progressive health decline. Since then several advances led to the conclusion that PA is an autoimmune disease characterized by the deficient absorption of dietary cobalamin. It is currently recognized as the most common cause of cobalamin deficiency worldwide. We hereby review the current understanding of the disease and its neurological, hematological, and biochemical manifestations with emphasis on the diagnostic approach, treatment, and monitoring strategies. We propose an algorithm for the diagnostic approach considering the current performance and limitations of the available diagnostic tools for evaluation of cobalamin status and the presence of autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Patients with PA require lifelong treatment with cobalamin replacement therapy. The current widely available treatment can be provided through enteral or parenteral cobalamin supplements, with comparable efficacy and tolerability.

George Minot and Pernicious Anemia.

George Minot (1885-1950) was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was great grandson of James Jackson, co-founder of Massachusetts General Hospital in 1821. Graduating from Harvard College he enrolled at Harvard Medical School and obtained his MD in 1912. As a house pupil (intern) at the hospital he became interested in diseases of the blood and began taking meticulous histories of dietary habits of patients with anemia.

Patient journeys: diagnosis and treatment of pernicious anaemia.

BACKGROUND: Instigating a patient support group for patients with pernicious anaemia (PA) revealed dissatisfaction with its current diagnosis and treatment. The authors investigated the clinical features, patient experience of diagnosis and treatment of PA in the UK. METHODS: A total of 889 patients registered with the PA Society support group completed an online survey or postal questionnaire. Outcome measures included clinical features, length of time to diagnosis and patient satisfaction with current treatment RESULTS: One-third of patients experienced symptoms for up to 1 year before diagnosis; 14% waited more than 10 years for a diagnosis. Neurological features were highly prevalent, the most common being memory loss and poor concentration. Nearly two-thirds of respondents were dissatisfied with current treatment; 10% used a non-licensed form of B12 to supplement their prescribed injections. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis and treatment of PA should be subject to a thorough review. This article discusses the patient survey and results and makes recommendations for how the diagnosis and treatment of PA may be evaluated.

[Unusual aspect of pernicious anemia during association of beta-thalassemia: a new case report and literature review]. / Maladie De Biermer De Presentation Inhabituelle Sur Un Profil Beta Thalassemique : Apport D'Un Nouveau Cas Et Revue De La Litterature.

Pernicious anemia appears classically by macrocytosis. We report a case of a late discovered Biermer disease, on a 42-year-old young black woman. The reason was an unusual aspect of this disease in a context of betathalassemia. The patient presented chronic anemia which evolved during about ten year. Biology showed a normocytosis and signs of hemolysis according to beta-thalassemia. This was confirmed by an electrophoresis showing 9.1 % of fraction F some haemoglobin. Since this date, the patient was treated by folic acid alone with periodic transfusions of red blood cell. She presented eight years after the beginning of her disease, neurological deterioration. Diagnosis of pernicious anemia was finally established up on histological gastritis, low level of the blood rate of vitamin B12, macrocytosis, and presence of intrinsic anti-factor and parietal anti-cells antibodies.

[Type 1 diabetes-associated autoimmune diseases: screening, diagnostic principles and management]. / Choroby autoimmunologiczne w cukrzycy typu 1 - badania przesiewowe, diagnostyka I leczenie.

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is often associated with autoimmune diseases such as: autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD), celiac disease (CD), autoimmune gastritis (AIG), pernicious anemia (PA) and vitiligo. Autoimmune thyroid disease is the most prevalent endocrinopathy among diabetic patients. Hypothyroidism, celiac disease or Addison's disease in patients with type 1 diabetes may deteriorate glycemic control and can lead to an increased rate of hypoglycemia. Autoimmune gastritis, pernicious anemia and celiac disease can cause malabsorption and anemia which additionally impair the quality of life in patients with T1DM. The presence of organ-specific autoantibodies can be used to screen patients who are at higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases. Such procedure can help to identify patients, who need to undergo treatment in order to decrease the rate of possible complications in the future. In this clinical review we present current opinions in terms of diagnosis, management and screening in the most common type 1 diabetes-associated autoimmune diseases.

Anaemia in pregnancy.

Anaemia in pregnancy, defined as a haemoglobin concentration (Hb) < 110 g/L, affects more than 56 million women globally, two thirds of them being from Asia. Multiple factors lead to anaemia in pregnancy, nutritional iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) being the commonest. Underlying inflammatory conditions, physiological haemodilution and several factors affecting Hb and iron status in pregnancy lead to difficulties in establishing a definitive diagnosis. IDA is associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and long-term adverse effects in the new born. Strategies to prevent anaemia in pregnancy and its adverse effects include treatment of underlying conditions, iron and folate supplementation given weekly for all menstruating women including adolescents and daily for women during pregnancy and the post partum period, and delayed clamping of the umbilical cord at delivery. Oral iron is preferable to intravenous therapy for treatment of IDA. B12 and folate deficiencies in pregnancy are rare and may be due to inadequate dietary intake with the latter being more common. These vitamins play an important role in embryo genesis and hence any relative deficiencies may result in congenital abnormalities. Finding the underlying cause are crucial to the management of these deficiencies. Haemolytic anaemias rare also rare in pregnancy, but may have life-threatening complications if the diagnosis is not made in good time and acted upon appropriately.

Selected disorders of malabsorption.

Malabsorption syndrome encompasses numerous clinical entities that result in chronic diarrhea, abdominal distention, and failure to thrive. These disorders may be congenital or acquired and include cystic fibrosis and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome; the rare congenital lactase deficiency; glucose-galactose malabsorption; sucrase-isomaltase deficiency; adult-type hypolactasia leading to acquired lactose intolerance. The pathology may be due to impairment in absorption or digestion of nutrients resulting in Nutritional deficiency, gastrointestinal symptoms, and extra gastrointestinal symptoms. Treatment is aimed at correcting the deficiencies and symptoms to improve quality of life. Common disorders of malabsorption celiac disease, pernicious anemia, and lactase deficiency are discussed in this article.