We describe a patient with sickle cell disease (SCD) and elevated antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) who developed multi-organ failure resembling catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Autoimmune screening revealed several autoantibodies characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Notably, routinely housed and unmanipulated transgenic sickle mice displayed significantly elevated titres of aPL- and SLE-associated autoantibodies. We hypothesize that SCD may be a risk factor not only for the development of aPL but also more widespread autoimmunity.
Keywords: Townes model; antiphospholipid antibody; antiphospholipid syndrome; autoimmunity; sickle cell disease; systemic lupus erythematosus.
© 2025 The Author(s). British Journal of Haematology published by British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.