Association of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria with Erythroleukemia

PAROXYSMAL nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)1 and erythroleukemia2 are both characterized by acquired abnormalities of red blood cells and also feature involvement of other hematopoietic cell lines. With recent reports of PNH terminating in myelogenous leukemia,3 4 5 Dameshek6 hypothesized that PNH may fit into the category of myeloproliferative diseases and, indeed, be a variant of erythroleukemia. This report describes the concomitant occurrence of PNH and erythroleukemia. Such an association is a logical link in the progression of PNH to acute leukemia. Case Report L.G., a 32-year-old man, was transferred to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in July, 1969, with the diagnosis of PNH. . . .