Unraveling the Mystery: Late-Life Hemolytic Anemia with Blister Cells on Smear

Abstract

In red cell disorder, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy. This enzymopathy leads to hemolysis of red cells under oxidative stress. This deficiency causes red cell hemolysis when exposed to certain drugs and infections. This Enzymopathy presents with different clinical presentations due to various genetic abnormalities involving the gene. In this case report, we describe the case of a 65-year-old male patient who was brought to the emergency department of our hospital with signs of shock and in a gasping condition. We found blister cells (3+) and Heinz bodies on peripheral smear examination. This case highlights the importance of considering red cell enzyme deficiencies in older populations with unexplained hemolysis.