Cefotaxime-induced immune hemolytic anemia due to antibodies reacting in vitro by more than one mechanism.
Until recently, all cephalosporin-induced immune hemolytic anemias appeared to react by a "penicillin-type" drug adsorption mechanism, and hemolysis was extravascular. In 1987 and 1988, the first two cases of cephalosporin-induced immune hemolytic anemia with intravascular hemolysis associated with a so-called immune complex mechanism were reported. This report describes a case of extravascular hemolysis due to a third-generation cephalosporin, cefotaxime, which, to the authors' knowledge, is the first to show in vitro characteristics of both the drug adsorption and the so-called immune complex mechanisms.
Shulman
I A
IA
Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center.
Arndt
P A
PA
McGehee
W
W
Garratty
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002439:Cefotaxime