Reappraisal of the clinical and etiologic significance of immunoglobulin deviations in autoimmune hemolytic anemia ('warm type').

56 patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia ('warm type') (AIHA) were investigated for immunoglobulin deviations. Of these, 43 were repeatedly analyzed (mean 4 times). The mean observation time was 20 months. The immunoglobulin values were correlated with clinical (degree of hemolysis) and serological (immunoglobulin class of autoantibodies; strength of antiglobulin reaction) parameters and statistically evaluated by variance analysis. Although no significant deviations of immunoglobulins in AIHA were found as compared to a normal control group, the immunoglobulin disturbance most frequently seen was an elevation of IgM. This is interpreted as a possible lack or functional impairment of immunoregulatory T cells in AIHA.