| angiopathic haemolytic anaemia | A rare postpartum anaemia of unknown aetiology with uraemia and nephrosclerosis; may be a rare complication following use of contraceptive steroids. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| autoimmune haemolytic anaemia | <haematology> A condition that results from the cellular destruction (haemolysis) of red blood cells due to antibodies formed to components on the surface of the red blood cells. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (02 Jan 1998) |
| beta-haemolytic streptococci | Those that produce active haemolysins (O and S) which cause a zone of clear haemolysis on the blood agar medium in the area of the colony; beta-haemolytic streptococci are divided into groups (A to O) on the basis of cell wall C carbohydrate (see Lancefield classification); Group A (in the strains pathogenic for man) comprises more than 50 types (designated by Arabic numerals) determined by cell wall M protein, which seems to be associated closely with virulence and is produced chiefly by strains with matt or mucoid colonies, in contrast to nonvirulent, glossy colony-producing strains; other surface protein antigens such as R and T (T substance), and the nucleoprotein fraction (P substance) seem to be of less importance. The more than 20 extracellular substances elaborated by strains of beta-haemolytic streptococci include erythrogenic toxin (elaborated only by lysogenic strains), deoxyribonuclease (streptodornase), haemolysins (streptolysins O and S), hyaluronidase, and streptokinase. Synonym: haemolytic streptococci. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia | <haematology> Consequence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): fragments of red blood cells, damaged by being forced through a fibrin meshwork, are found in the circulation. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (18 Nov 1997) |
| complement haemolytic activity assay | Usual screening assay for complement. Dilutions of the serum to be tested are added to antibody-coated erythrocytes and the percentage of lysis is measured. The values are expressed by ch50, haemolytic complement units per milliliter, which is the dilution of serum required to lyse 50 percent of the erythrocytes in the assay. (12 Dec 1998) |
| congenital haemolytic anaemia | Accelerated destruction of red blood cells due to an inherited defect, such as in the membrane in hereditary spherocytosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| congenital haemolytic icterus | <haematology> A hereditary disorder that leads to a chronic haemolytic anaemia due to an abnormality in the red blood cell membrane. This disorder is caused by a defective gene. Red cells are resistant to stress and rupture easily. Infants may appear jaundiced and pale. Fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath are other symptoms that may be seen in older patients. The spleen may also be enlarged. Treatment includes splenectomy (removal of the spleen). After this is accomplished the life-span of the red blood cells returns to normal. (27 Sep 1997) |
| congenital haemolytic jaundice | <haematology> A hereditary disorder that leads to a chronic haemolytic anaemia due to an abnormality in the red blood cell membrane. This disorder is caused by a defective gene. Red cells are resistant to stress and rupture easily. Infants may appear jaundiced and pale. Fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath are other symptoms that may be seen in older patients. The spleen may also be enlarged. Treatment includes splenectomy (removal of the spleen). After this is accomplished the life-span of the red blood cells returns to normal. (27 Sep 1997) |
| haemolytic | Destructive to blood cells, resulting in liberation of haemoglobin. Synonym: haematolytic, haemotoxic, haematotoxic, haematoxic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| haemolytic anaemia | <disease, haematology> Anaemia resulting from reduced red cell survival time and haemolysis, either due to an intrinsic defect in the erythrocyte (hereditary spherocytosis or ellipsocytosis, enzyme defects, haemoglobinopathy) or an extrinsic damaging agent. For example autoantibody (autoimmune haemolytic anaemia), iso antibody, parasitic invasion of the cells (malaria), bacterial or chemical haemolysins, mechanical damage to erythrocytes. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (18 Nov 1997) |
| haemolytic anaemia of newborn | <haematology> A condition which develops in the foetus due to an incompatibility between the mother's blood type (RH factor) and the baby's. Maternal antibodies, which enter the foetal circulation during delivery attack the baby's red blood cells leading to haemolysis (rupture of the cells). Symptoms include an infant with an enlarged liver and spleen, swelling, jaundice and anaemia. (27 Sep 1997) |
| haemolytic chain | The haemolysis that occurs when complement is activated by the previously formed union of erythrocytes and specific antibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| haemolytic disease of newborn | <haematology> A condition which develops in the foetus due to an incompatibility between the mother's blood type (RH factor) and the baby's. Maternal antibodies, which enter the foetal circulation during delivery attack the baby's red blood cells leading to haemolysis (rupture of the cells). Symptoms include an infant with an enlarged liver and spleen, swelling, jaundice and anaemia. (27 Sep 1997) |
| haemolytic disease of the newborn | Abnormal breakup of red blood cells in the foetus or newborn. This is usually due to antibodies made by the mother directed against the baby's red cells. It is typically caused by rh incompatibility, that is differences between the mother and baby uinvolving the rh blood group. (12 Dec 1998) |
| haemolytic gas | A poisonous gas, such as arsine, inhalation of which causes haemolysis with haemoglobinuria, jaundice, gastroenteritis, and nephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |