Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
DISEASE OF THE BLOOD CHARACTERIZED BY DESTRUCTION OF RED BLOOD CELLS BY THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM, A PART OF THE BODY'S INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria; Marchiafava-Micheli Syndrome
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired, life-threatening disease of the blood characterized by destruction of red blood cells by the complement system, a part of the body's innate immune system. This destructive process occurs due to deficiency of the red blood cell surface protein DAF, which normally inhibits such immune reactions.