Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a disease of humans and domestic animals and has been most commonly observed in newborn cats and horses. Rarely it has also been described in other species following blood transfusions, vaccination or previous pregnancy. The disease is characterised by immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia due to ingestion of maternal colostral antibody directed against surface antigens on neonatal red blood cells. This leads to a Type II hypersensitivity reaction causing extravascular and intravascular haemolysis during the first few days of life. | Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a disease of humans and domestic animals and has been most commonly observed in newborn cats and horses. Rarely it has also been described in other species following blood transfusions, vaccination or previous pregnancy. The disease is characterised by immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia due to ingestion of maternal colostral antibody directed against surface antigens on neonatal red blood cells. This leads to a Type II hypersensitivity reaction causing extravascular and intravascular haemolysis during the first few days of life. |