Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia induced by penicillin in horses.
Three horses developed severe, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia after treatment with penicillin. The horses had positive direct antiglobulin (Coombs) tests and high titers of IgG antibody that agglutinated penicillin-coated equine red cells. Two of the horses were tested for antibodies to autologous red cell antigens; autoantibodies were not present. Titers of antipenicillin antibody decreased after penicillin was discontinued but IgG antibody was detectable months after recovery. One of the horses was challenged with penicillin; antibody titer increased slightly, but anemia did not develop. Antipenicillin antibody of the IgM class was present in low titer in 23 (77%) of 30 non-anemic horses tested. Apparently, the horse is similar to man in that penicillin-induced anemia is rare but the percentage of individuals with antipenicillin antibody is high.
Blue
J T
JT
Department of Pathology, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853.
Dinsmore
R P
RP
Anderson
K L
KL
D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010402:Penicillin G Procaine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology
D010402:Penicillin G Procaine; D010400:Penicillin G