Autoimmune Hemorrhaphilia Resulting from Autoantibody against the A Subunit of Factor XIII

Intern Med. 2015;54(18):2383-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.4791. Epub 2015 Sep 15.

Abstract

A 65-year-old woman was admitted with acute intramuscular hemorrhage of the left gluteus medius and piriformis muscles and associated anemia. Blood tests showed low plasma factor XIII (FXIII) antigen and activity. A cross-mixing test revealed a concave "inhibitor" pattern and anti-FXIII-A subunit antibody was detected. The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune hemorrhaphilia resulting from anti-FXIII antibody. The bleeding has not recurred since the initiation of treatment with oral immunosuppressive agents. Although hemorrhagic acquired FXIII deficiency is a rare disorder, prompt recognition of the underlying mechanism can save lives.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Factor XIII / immunology*
  • Factor XIII Deficiency / etiology*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhage / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Muscle, Skeletal

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Factor XIII