Intravascular hemolysis is mediated by: September 2007
First, I need to recall the mechanisms of intravascular hemolysis. Intravascular hemolysis occurs when red blood cells are destroyed within the blood vessels. Common causes include complement activation, mechanical damage, or certain infections. The complement system is a key player here. When the complement system is activated, it can form the membrane attack complex (MAC), which creates pores in the RBC membrane, leading to lysis.
So the correct answer is likely complement-mediated lysis. Now, the other options might be things like mechanical trauma (like in hemolytic anemia due to microangiopathy), immune-mediated mechanisms (like autoimmune hemolytic anemia), or other factors like snake venom or certain drugs. But the key here is the complement system.
Wait, the user's example shows the correct answer as option C. So possible options could be A. Mechanical trauma, B. Immune-mediated, C. Complement-mediated lysis, D. Oxidative stress. Each of these would be incorrect except C.
For the explanation, the core concept is that intravascular hemolysis is primarily caused by the complement system. The complement pathway, especially the classical and alternative pathways, leads to MAC formation. The wrong options are incorrect because mechanical trauma leads to extravascular hemolysis, immune-mediated might involve antibodies but not direct lysis, and oxidative damage affects RBCs but through different mechanisms.
Clinical pearl: Remember that complement-mediated lysis is a classic cause of intravascular hemolysis, seen in conditions like PNH or certain infections.
**Core Concept**
Intravascular hemolysis refers to erythrocyte destruction within the vasculature, often mediated by direct membrane damage. The complement system, particularly the membrane attack complex (MAC), is a primary mediator in immune-mediated intravascular hemolysis, as seen in conditions like paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) or transfusion reactions.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Complement-mediated lysis activates the classical or alternative pathways, culminating in the formation of the membrane attack complex (C5b-9). This complex creates pores in red blood cell (RBC) membranes, causing osmotic lysis. It is the hallmark mechanism in diseases like PNH, where RBCs lack protective proteins (CD55, CD59), making them vulnerable to complement attack.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Mechanical trauma (e.g., in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia) causes schistocytes but is not a primary mediator of intravascular hemolysis.
**Option B:** Autoimmune hemolysis involves IgG antibodies coating RBCs, leading to extravascular hemolysis by macrophages, not direct intravascular lysis.
**Option D:** Oxidative stress (e.g., from G6PD deficiency) damages RBC membranes but typically causes