Adult Evans syndrome: complete hematologic recovery with steroids and rituximab: a case report

Evans syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the simultaneous or sequential development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia. It may be primary (idiopathic, or associated with other diseases. First line therapy is immunosupression. A second line therapy includes danazol and splenectomy. Rituximab was approved by the Federal Drug Administration since 1998 for the treatment of lymphomas. We report a 46-year-old-male Hispanic with Evans syndrome. He presented with severe life threatening autoimmune hemolytic anemia and subsequently developed autoimmune thrombocytopenia. After treatment with steroids and rituximab he remains in remission. This case report supports the use of rituximab in an adult patient with Evans syndrome.