Aplastic anaemia following antibiotic use for urinary tract infection

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Feb 28;17(2):e254547. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-254547.

Abstract

Aplastic anaemia is often associated with recent viral illnesses to include EBV and parvovirus along with certain medications such as anticonvulsants and sulfa containing antibiotics. We describe a case report of a female patient in her 70s who presented with pancytopenia after being treated with nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin for suspected urinary tract infection. She underwent an extensive workup to rule out alternative aetiologies of her pancytopenia to include a broad viral, autoimmune and malignancy evaluation which were unrevealing. Given her recent exposure to ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin and marrow recovery following removal of these agents, it was presumed that antibiotic exposure was the underlying cause of her aplastic anaemia.

Keywords: Haematology (drugs and medicines); Haematology (incl blood transfusion).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia, Aplastic* / complications
  • Anemia, Aplastic* / drug therapy
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / adverse effects
  • Ciprofloxacin / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nitrofurantoin / adverse effects
  • Pancytopenia / chemically induced
  • Pancytopenia / complications
  • Urinary Tract Infections* / complications
  • Urinary Tract Infections* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Nitrofurantoin