Warm and Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in the Setting of COVID-19 Disease

Abstract

Known associations with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) include lymphoproliferative neoplasms, autoimmune conditions, and viral infections. There are a few case reports that implicate a potential relationship between COVID-19 and either warm or cold AIHA. We present the case of combined warm and cold AIHA in the setting of COVID-19. A 51-year-old male with no known past medical history presented with weakness and jaundice. Initial workup revealed white blood cells 41.4, hemoglobin 3.1, platelets 343, total bilirubin 5.3, direct bilirubin 1.6, and COVID-19 positive. Direct antiglobulin test (DAT) found IgG and C3 antibodies and pathology revealed cold agglutinins, consistent with both warm and cold AIHA. He received a total of five blood transfusions and was started on prednisone 1 mg/kg daily with a gradual taper over months. Hemolysis labs normalized within two weeks after discharge although antibodies remained positive 70 days after admission. Our patient presented with IgG and C3 antibodies as well as cold agglutinins, consistent with both warm and cold AIHA. To our knowledge, this is the first case of both warm and cold AIHA presenting simultaneously in COVID-19 infection. Unlike most cases in the existing literature, this patient had no history of underlying hematologic malignancy and both warm and cold AIHA.

Keywords: autoimmune hemolytic anemia (aiha); cold agglutinins; covid 19; mixed autoimmune hemolytic anemia; warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia.