Autopsy and Case Reports
https://www.autopsyandcasereports.org/article/doi/10.4322/acr.2012.034
Autopsy and Case Reports
Article / Clinical Case Report

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: rare cause of acute renal failure

Vilma Takayasu; Márcia Yoshie Kanegae; Jairo Rays

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Abstract

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is a rare acquired disease, characterized by hemolytic anemia, recurrent infections, cytopenias, and vascular thrombosis. It occurs by non-malignant clonal expansion of one or more hematopoietic stem cells that acquired somatic mutations in PIG-A gene linked to chromosome X. This mutation results in lower erythrocyte expression of CD55 and CD59 surface proteins and consequently increased susceptibility to the complement system. The renal involvement is generally benign, resulting in mild impairment in urinary concentration. Acute renal failure requiring hemodialytic support accompanying PNH is rarely observed. The authors report a case of a 37-year-old male who presented with bicytopenia (hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia) associated with acute renal failure requiring dialysis. Diagnosis was challenging because of the rarity and unfamiliarity with this entity, but was confirmed by flow cytometry. In the course of the disease, acute pyelonephritis with multiple renal abscesses was diagnosed requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy. Patient outcome was favorable after the control of hemolysis and the infection treatment.

Keywords

Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal, Anemia, Hemolytic, Acute kidney injury, Flow cytometry.

Publication date:
01/13/2016

569696a064cc8b5cda711bb1 autopsy Articles
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