Blood Changes in Hemolytic Anemia under ACTH Therapy

A case has been reported of a 76 year old man, who, while in the hospital, developed a rather severe acquired, hemolytic anemia with positive Coombs test. Electrophoresis showed serum protein values within normal limits. ACTH was given for ten days and the reaction followed by electrophoretic tracings. A rather strange elevation of gamma globulins was seen during treatment. Simultaneously the Coombs test became negative. Later in the period of treatment, gamma globulins decreased to normal level and the Coombs test again became positive. These findings and the possibility of viral infection as an etiologic factor in hemolytic anemia are discussed.