Induction of direct Coombs positivity with alpha-methyldopa in chimpanzees.
Two of four chimpanzees developed a moderately strong positive direct Coombs test after injection of stroma of their autologous erythrocytes that had been treated with alpha-methyldopa in the presence of diethyldithiocarbamate. Similar experiments with rabbits were unsuccessful. The results are concluded to be a demonstration that the first step in the development of autoantibody in alpha-methyldopa therapy is interaction of the oxidized drug with certain, as yet unidentified, peptides of the erythrocyte membrane.
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003298:Coombs Test; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D011817:Rabbits
D001323:Autoantibodies; D008750:Methyldopa