Hematology

The Immunohematology Clinic at Mayo Clinic cares for people with blood conditions related to the immune system. These conditions happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy blood cells, which can lead to:

• Anemia.
• Thrombocytopenia.
• Leukopenia.
• Bleeding.
• Blood clots.

Mayo Clinic specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of immunohematologic conditions. Because these conditions can be hard to recognize, many people come to Mayo Clinic for an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care plan.

Immunohematology diagnosis

Diagnosing immune-related blood conditions requires specialized expertise. Symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising or bleeding can overlap with many other conditions, making evaluation more complex.

At Mayo Clinic, you have access to advanced diagnostic testing and specialized laboratory medicine expertise. Evaluation often includes:

• Antibody identification.
• Bone marrow biopsy.
• Detailed blood testing.
• Genetic testing if needed.
• Immune system testing.

Our comprehensive approach helps to find the cause of your condition and guides treatment decisions.

Team-based care for immune blood conditions

At Mayo Clinic's Immunohematology Clinic, your care team works closely with you to tailor a treatment plan to your exact condition, symptoms and goals. You will have access to the most advanced treatments available, such as:

• Anti-CD20 antibodies that attach to immune cells called B cells and help remove them.
• Anti-CD38 antibodies that target plasma cells and lower harmful antibodies.
• Corticosteroids that reduce swelling and calm the immune system.
• Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), which are antibodies given through a vein to help control the immune system.
• Growth factors that help the body make more blood cells.
• Complement inhibitors that block part of the immune system that can damage cells.
• Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors that block signals that tell B cells to stay active.
• Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitors that stop certain immune cells from turning on.
• Immunosuppressants that slow down the immune system.
• Clinical trials, when applicable, that test new treatments to see whether they are safe and work well.

People with immunohematologic conditions often benefit from care across multiple medical specialties. At Mayo Clinic, hematologists work closely with experts in immunology, rheumatology, laboratory medicine and other specialties to provide the coordinated care your condition requires. This team-based approach allows specialists to review your case together, confirm the diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment options.

Your Mayo Clinic team also communicates with your local healthcare professional to support follow-up care closer to home when possible.

Patients also may be considered for clinical trials if their conditions qualify.

Conditions treated in the Immunohematology Clinic

Alloimmunization occurs when the body develops antibodies against transfused blood cells.

Aplastic anemia happens when the bone marrow does not produce enough red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) occurs when a primary immunodeficiency leads to autoimmune cytopenias and lymphoproliferation.

Autoimmune neutropenia occurs when the immune system targets neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection.

Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia, also called cold agglutinin disease, occurs when the immune system destroys red blood cells in response to cold temperatures.

Medicine-induced cytopenias happen when medicines cause a decrease in blood cell counts.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare condition in which the immune system becomes too active and damages the body's own tissues.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a condition in which the immune system destroys platelets, the blood cells that help stop bleeding.

Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) diseases occur when white blood cells destroy other blood cells.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired condition in which red blood cells break down earlier than usual, which can lead to blood clots.

Pure red cell aplasia is a condition in which the bone marrow does not produce enough red blood cells.

Thrombotic microangiopathies are a group of conditions that cause small blood clots to form in blood vessels.

Transfusion reactions are unexpected immune responses to blood transfusions.

Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs when the immune system destroys red blood cells at typical body temperature.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for immunohematology care

Mayo Clinic is a destination for people seeking answers and treatment for complex or rare immune-related blood conditions. Patients choose Mayo Clinic for its depth of experience, advanced diagnostics and coordinated approach to care.

Physicians at Mayo Clinic regularly evaluate patients with conditions that may not be easily diagnosed elsewhere. Access to specialized laboratories and testing allows for more-precise identification of immune-mediated blood conditions. This expertise ensures your treatment plan is tailored to your exact condition and needs.

Mayo Clinic also offers access to new and emerging therapies through clinical trials when available. This may be especially important for people whose conditions have not responded to standard treatments.

Immunohematology expertise and rankings

Mayo Clinic is recognized as a leading center for hematology and the care of complex blood conditions. Specialists in the Division of Hematology have extensive experience diagnosing and treating rare immunohematologic conditions.

Because Mayo Clinic cares for a high volume of patients with these conditions, physicians are experienced in identifying less common forms and tailoring treatment strategies.

Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for quality, safety and outcomes.

Appointments for immunohematology care

You may be referred by your primary healthcare professional or your primary hematology team, or you may make an appointment without a referral.