Anti-Sa cold agglutinin of IgA class requiring plasma-exchange therapy as early manifestation of multiple myeloma

Ann Hematol. 1993 Jun;66(6):315-8. doi: 10.1007/BF01695974.

Abstract

The case of a patient (Col) with multiple myeloma presenting as chronic cold agglutinin (CA) syndrome is reported. The CA (Col) was a monoclonal IgA/k paraprotein which recognizes an antigen fully expressed in adult and newborn erythrocytes, sialidase sensitive and partially resistant to proteases. Hemagglutination-inhibition studies showed that immunodominant N-acetylneuraminic acid bound alpha 2-->3 to O-glycans of glycophorins represents the CA(Col) epitope. These serological and biochemical findings fit with the anti-Sa specificity, of which only two previous examples are known. The clinical manifestations of CA (Col) were characterized by marked acrocyanosis, generalized livedo reticularis, and incapacitating dyspnea, but only mild hemolysis. Plasma-exchange therapy was effective in quickly removing the CA and relieving the associated clinical manifestations, but such benefit was only temporary. This is the first reported example of anti-Sa CA of IgA isotype and the first case of IgA CA syndrome treated by plasma exchange.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / diagnosis*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Plasma Exchange*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes