Pernicious anemia

Japanese: 悪性貧血 - あくせいひんけつ（英語表記）pernicious anemia

Anemia caused by vitamin _B12 deficiency, which prevents normal red blood cells from being produced. Before the discovery of vitamin _B12 , the disease was so severe that it was difficult to treat, and hence it was called pernicious anemia. However, it is now easily cured by administering vitamin _B12 preparations. It is also called megaloblastic anemia, because of the increase in unique young red blood cell cells called megaloblasts in the bone marrow. It is common in Europe and the United States, but relatively rare in Japan. In addition to anemic and neurological symptoms, the patient suffers from Hunter glossitis, a condition in which the tongue mucosa atrophies and becomes smooth, and also lacks gastric acid. A substance called intrinsic factor in gastric juice is required for the absorption of vitamin _B12 in food, but in pernicious anemia, gastric acid and intrinsic factor are not secreted due to the atrophy of the gastric mucosa. Pernicious anemia can also occur after total gastrectomy.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

ビタミン B₁₂ の欠乏により，正常な赤血球がつくられなくなって起る貧血。ビタミン B₁₂ が発見されるまでは，経過がきわめて悪性で治療困難であったところから，悪性貧血と名づけられたが，現在ではビタミン B₁₂ 製剤などを与えると簡単に治癒する。骨髄中に巨赤芽球という特異な若い赤血球系細胞が増加するため巨赤芽球性貧血ともいわれ，欧米に多く，日本では比較的少い。貧血症状や神経症状のほかに舌粘膜が萎縮してなめらかになるハンター舌炎という状態を呈し，また胃酸を欠く。食物中のビタミン B₁₂ が吸収されるためには胃液中の内因子と呼ばれる物質が必要であるが，悪性貧血のときは，胃粘膜萎縮のため胃酸および内因子が分泌されなくなる。悪性貧血は胃全摘手術後に起ることもある。

出典　ブリタニカ国際大百科事典小項目事典ブリタニカ国際大百科事典小項目事典について　情報

<<: Malignant malaria - Acute malaria

>>: Malignant alopecia - Alopecia maligna