The main cause of aplastic anemia is.

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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The causes of aplastic anemia are considered to be of three types: abnormalities in hematopoietic stem cells, abnormalities in the bone marrow microenvironment, and abnormalities in immune factors. Among these, abnormalities in immune factors play a dominant role. Therefore, most patients with aplastic anemia see some improvement after receiving immunosuppressive therapy clinically. However, there is a small subset of patients with aplastic anemia for whom immunosuppressive therapy is not effective, and the causes of the disease in these patients are not well understood and may be congenital, such as congenital dyskeratosis.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Does aplastic anemia easily cause oral ulcers?

Patients with aplastic anemia are more prone to oral ulcers. Aplastic anemia is a type of bone marrow failure syndrome, where there is a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the peripheral blood to various extents. Long-term anemia can lead to mucosal ischemia and hypoxia. The reduction in white blood cells weakens the mucosal barrier's protective function, making it susceptible to bacterial invasion and thus prone to oral ulcers. Additionally, patients with anemia often have poor diets over long periods, leading to a deficiency in various vitamins, which is another reason why they are prone to oral ulcers. If symptoms like joint pain are present along with oral ulcers, further rheumatological and immunological tests should be conducted to rule out rheumatic and immune system diseases.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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What tests should be done to diagnose aplastic anemia?

The diagnostic criteria for aplastic anemia include a decrease in all blood cells, generally no enlargement of the liver or spleen, reduced or severe reduction in bone marrow hyperplasia in multiple sites, and exclusion of other diseases causing a decrease in all blood cells. Therefore, the diagnosis of aplastic anemia requires the following tests: complete blood count, reticulocyte count, abdominal ultrasound, bone marrow cytology, bone marrow chromosome analysis, bone marrow biopsy, rheumatoid immune indicators, and peripheral blood T-cell subgroups. Additionally, for patients suspected of having aplastic anemia, further flow cytometry and differentiation from myelodysplastic syndromes are sometimes necessary.

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Written by Peng Miao Yun
Internal Medicine
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The main diagnostic basis for aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia is caused by a variety of reasons leading to bone marrow hematopoietic failure. So, what is the main diagnostic basis for diagnosing aplastic anemia? It is primarily the bone marrow examination, which shows decreased or severely decreased proliferation at least in one site, such as active proliferation, significant reduction in megakaryocytes, and an increase in non-hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow's granular components. Additionally, there can be a decrease in total blood cells, white cells, red cells, etc., and a reduction in the absolute value of reticulocytes.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Is aplastic anemia contagious?

Aplastic anemia is not contagious and has a minor hereditary factor, meaning that if a family member has aplastic anemia, it is generally not inherited by the next generation. The cause of aplastic anemia is still unclear, but possible reasons include: 1. Damage to hematopoietic stem cells. After the hematopoietic stem cells are damaged, it leads to limited stem cell proliferation and reduced hematopoiesis. 2. Damage to the hematopoietic microenvironment. Damage to the hematopoietic microenvironment can lead to changes that disrupt the regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells. 3. Immune factors. Immune factors can cause immune damage, directly damaging hematopoietic stem cells, thereby causing bone marrow regeneration disorders.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Is aplastic anemia leukemia?

Aplastic anemia is not leukemia, but there is a very small chance that aplastic anemia can transform into leukemia. Aplastic anemia is a bone marrow failure syndrome, and its clinical presentation often includes pancytopenia. It can be classified into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. Leukemia often manifests with high white blood cell counts, anemia, and low platelet counts. It is caused by the infiltration of leukemia cells into the bone marrow, leading to the suppression of normal hematopoiesis, and is classified as a malignant hematological tumor. Leukemia can be divided into acute leukemia and chronic leukemia.