HIV-associated autoimmune hemolytic anemia: An update

In addition to developing immunosuppression, opportunistic infections, and malignancies, patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) als o develop many hematologic disorders. Although cytopenias including thrombo cytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia, and bone marrow dysplasia are the most c ommon hematologic complications encountered in such patients, hemostatic ab normalities that predispose patients to thromboembolism have also been reco gnized. Anemia in HIV patients can be multifactorial but an increased incid ence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia has been manifested by the increased in cidence of positive Coombs' test reported in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Overt hemolysis is a rare complication. This re view article discusses the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, di agnosis, treatment, and complications of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) associated with HIV infection.