autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) occurs when a person's immune system produces antibodies directed against their own red blood cells (RBCs). These antibodies attach to red cells, causing them to break down (lyse), and reducing the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in circulation (anemia). The antibodies are usually directed against common red cell antigens, therefore they also bind to allogenic or transfused red cells and cause them to lyse. (ref). Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia can be