Cefotetan-induced immune hemolytic anemia

Clin Infect Dis. 1992 Nov;15(5):863-5. doi: 10.1093/clind/15.5.863.

Abstract

Immune hemolytic anemia due to a drug-adsorption mechanism has been described primarily in patients receiving penicillins and first-generation cephalosporins. We describe a patient who developed anemia while receiving intravenous cefotetan. Cefotetan-dependent antibodies were detected in the patient's serum and in an eluate prepared from his red blood cells. The eluate also reacted weakly with red blood cells in the absence of cefotetan, suggesting the concomitant formation of warm-reactive autoantibodies. These observations, in conjunction with clinical and laboratory evidence of extravascular hemolysis, are consistent with drug-induced hemolytic anemia, possibly involving both drug-adsorption and autoantibody formation mechanisms. This case emphasizes the need for increased awareness of hemolytic reactions to all cephalosporins.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / chemically induced*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / physiopathology
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / therapy
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Cefotetan / adverse effects*
  • Cefotetan / pharmacokinetics
  • Coombs Test
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy
  • Drug Hypersensitivity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Cefotetan