Autoimmune haemolytic anaemias. I. Serological studies with pure anti-immunoglobulin reagents.

In this paper the preparation and examination of pure antisera against immunoglobulins is described. The results of serological studies obtained with pure anti-IgG, anti-IgM and anti-IgA sera as well as an anti-complement serum and the blood of four patients with acquired haemolytic anaemia are discussed. The presence of incomplete warm autoantibodies belonging to the G, M and A classes of immunoglobulins was demonstrated. Further, evidence was obtained that warm haemolysins are a separate antibody category independent of the presence of incomplete warm autoantibodies. A new serological classification of the autoimmune haemolytic anaemias based on these findings is given.