Autoimmunity in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

J Clin Pathol. 1986 Jul;39(7):713-6. doi: 10.1136/jcp.39.7.713.

Abstract

The prevalence of autoantibodies in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) was investigated. A lower prevalence of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia than that found in other series was found: large numbers of non-progressive stage A disease cases were included, in which the prevalence of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is low. Non-haematological autoantibodies were no commoner than in age matched controls. Whatever explanation is offered for autoimmune phenomena in B-CLL it must take account of the fact that those phenomena are virtually confined to autoantibodies against the formed elements of the blood.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / complications
  • Autoantibodies / analysis*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Coombs Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / complications
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / immunology*
  • Male
  • Thrombocytopenia / complications

Substances

  • Autoantibodies