Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: An Old Disease with New Twists

In 1529, Actuarius in Constantinople was the first to describe “azure and livid” as well as black urine in patients exposed to cold. In his writings, he goes on to state that they also experienced a “dramatic loss of strength,” likely depicting the first description of paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. Further elucidation of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (A IHA) would have to wait until the mid-nineteenth century when the observation of microcytes in the form of spheres (microcythemia) was documented in patients with non-liver-associated jaundice.
Source: Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Preface Source Type: research