Uremia associated with erythrophagocytosis by small intestine epithelial cells : A case report

Background Anemia is a frequent finding in patients with uremia due to chronic renal failure. Two factors contribute to the decrease in the red blood cell count and worsen the patient's general status: depression of erythropoiesis and shortening of the red blood cell lifespan. Case A novel response mechanism to erythrocyte loss took place in a uremic patient with gastrointestinal bemorrbage. In an autopsy case of an 80-year-old woman dying of uremia, analysis of an intestinal fluid smear revealed small intestine epithelial cells engulfing complete erythrocytes. Conclusion This cytologic finding could account for a potential response mechanism to counteract the massive erythrocyte loss that occurs in bemorrbagic anemia with a uremic background.