Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Late Presentation of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome

Abstract

COVID-19 is a severe respiratory disease with a spectrum of clinical presentations and complications. Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) is increasingly recognized in patients with COVID-19 either while infected or shortly after infection. We report a 36-year-old male with clinical and laboratory findings consistent with WAIHA. His medical history was significant for COVİD-19 infection three months before presentation. He was initially resistant to steroids but had substantial improvement following the initiation of rituximab, with complete recovery thereafter. Therefore, serial assessment of complete blood cell count parameters and hemolysis markers post-COVID-19 infections is warranted for early detection and prompt treatment.

Keywords

• anemia
• hemolytic
• autoimmune
• covid-19
• rituximab
• cyanosis