Spur-Shaped Erythrocytes in Laennec's Cirrhosis

Abstract

HEMOLYTIC anemia, characterized by the presence of red cells bearing spur-like projections ("spur-cell anemia"), was described by Smith et al.1 in a man with Laennec's cirrhosis. A factor that induced spur formation in normal erythrocytes was reported in the patient's plasma. The subject of the present report is a patient with Laennec's cirrhosis and spur-shaped erythrocytes who manifested hypersplenism and an increased autohemolysis; no plasma factor could be demonstrated despite numerous incubations with normal red cells.Case ReportA 48-year-old housewife entered New York University Hospital on May 21, 1964, with a chief complaint of jaundice of 2 months' duration. . . .