Positive Coombs test in Hodgkin's disease: significance and implications
AM Levine, P Thornton, SJ Forman, P Van Hale, D Holdorf, CL Rouault, D Powars, DI Feinstein and RJ Lukes
To clarify the clinicopathologic characteristics of Coombs' positivity in
Hodgkin's disease, the records of 71 cases were reviewed. The direct Coombs
test was positive in seven. Mean age of the seven was 22 yr (range 11-33).
All were males. All had extensive disease (pathologic stage III or IV) and
six had systemic (B) symptoms. Four had mixed cellularity; three had
nodular sclerosis. The positive Coombs test was detected at original
diagnosis in three and at time of relapse in four. Although all were
anemic, only three had evidence of overt hemolysis. The antibody
responsible for Coombs positivity was characterized in three and fulfilled
the criteria for IgG anti-It. The presence of a positive direct Coombs test
in the patient with Hodgkin's disease suggests active and advanced disease.
The presence of IgG anti-It may represent a unique antibody in the
Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia associated with Hodgkin's disease.
Volume 55,
Issue 4,
pp. 607-611,
04/01/1980
Copyright © 1980 by The American Society of Hematology
