Dysgammaglobulinemia in the Adult Manifested as Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Abstract

RECENT studies indicate that erythrocyte antibodies of isoimmune and autoimmune nature are contained in both the 7S and 19S fractions of gamma globulin.^{1 2 3} Support for the concept that the autoantibodies fulfill criteria as antibodies comes from identification of autoantibodies with the gamma globulins and the demonstration that certain of them are directed against specific blood-group antigens.⁴ Controversy has not been resolved⁵ whether autoantibodies develop as a result of specific antigenic stimulation or "accidentally" from production of a spectrum of abnormal proteins.In the present study an unusual antibody of anti-N specificity occurred in a patient with acquired hemolytic anemia. Characterization . . .