title: Cephalosporin-induced hemolysis: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Cephalosporins are commonly used drugs that interact with red blood cell membranes. They frequently cause a positive direct antiglobulin test but rarely cause hemolysis. A case of cefotetan-induced hemolytic anemia is described in which two types of antibodies were detected. One reacted with red blood cells by a hapten mechanism, the other reacted with drug to form immune complexes. This case is compared with the 13 cases of cephalosporin-induced hemolytic anemia reported to date. Understanding the interactions of red blood cells and cephalosporins is critical to the safe use of these commonly prescribed drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ehmann
mesh_terms: D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000139:chemically induced; D015313:Cefotetan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D015313:Cefotetan