Uremia associated with erythrophagocytosis by small intestine epithelial cells: a case report.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a frequent finding in patients with uremia due to chronic renal failure. Two factors contribute to the decrease in the red blood cell count and worsen the patient's general status depression of erythropoiesis and shortening of the red blood cell lifespan. CASE A novel response mechanism to erythrocyte loss took place in a uremic patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In an autopsy case of an 80-year-old woman dying of uremia, analysis of an intestinal fluid smear revealed small intestine epithelial cells engulfing complete erythrocytes. CONCLUSION: This cytologic finding could account for a potential response mechanism to counteract the massive erythrocyte loss that occurs in hemorrhagic anemia with a uremic background.