Hereditary stomatocytosis

Hereditary stomatocytosis describes a number of inherited autosomal dominant human conditions which affect the red blood cell, in which the membrane or outer coating of the cell 'leaks' sodium and potassium ions.

Hereditary stomatocytosis
Stomatocytes
SpecialtyHematology 

Causes

The cause for these hereditary conditions is now understood to be various mutations in the erythrocyte membrane protein, band 3. It is this protein which mediates the cation leaks which are characteristic of this disease.[1]

Pathophysiology

Osmosis leads to the red blood cell having a constant tendency to swell and burst. This tendency is countered by manipulating the flow of sodium and potassium ions. A 'pump' forces sodium out of the cell and potassium in, and this action is balanced by a process called 'the passive leak'. In the hereditary stomatocytoses, the passive leak is increased and the cell becomes swamped with salt and water. The cell lyses and a haemolytic anaemia results. For as yet unknown reasons, the cells take on the shape of a cup, with a 'mouth-shaped' (stoma) area of central pallor. The two varieties of stomatocytosis classified with respect to hydration status are overhydrated (hydrocytosis) and dehydrated (xerocytosis).

Diagnosis

Variants

Haematologists have identified a number of variants. These can be classified as below.

  • Overhydrated hereditary stomatocytosis
  • Dehydrated HSt (hereditary xerocytosis; hereditary hyperphosphatidylcholine haemolytic anaemia)
  • Dehydrated with perinatal ascites
  • Cryohydrocytosis
  • 'Blackburn' variant.
  • Familial pseudohyperkalaemia

There are other families that do not fall neatly into any of these classifications.[2]

Stomatocytosis is also found as a hereditary disease in Alaskan malamute and miniature schnauzer dogs.[3]

Treatment

At present there is no specific treatment. Many patients with haemolytic anaemia take folic acid (vitamin B9) since the greater turnover of cells consumes this vitamin. During crises transfusion may be required. Clotting problems can occur for which anticoagulation may be needed. Unlike hereditary spherocytosis, splenectomy is contraindicated.

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References
  1. Bruce LJ, Robinson HC, Guizouarn H, et al. (2005). "Monovalent cation leaks in human red cells caused by single amino-acid substitutions in the transport domain of the band 3 chloride-bicarbonate exchanger, AE1". Nat. Genet. 37 (11): 1258–63. doi:10.1038/ng1656. PMID 16227998.
  2. Oski FA, Naiman JL, Blum SF, et al. (1969). "Congenital hemolytic anemia with high-sodium, low-potassium red cells. Studies of three generations of a family with a new variant". N. Engl. J. Med. 280 (17): 909–16. doi:10.1056/NEJM196904242801701. PMID 4237839.
  3. Thrall, MA (2006). "Veterinary Hematology and Clinical Chemistry, Blackwell Publishing": 71–72. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Further reading
Classification
External resources
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