DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Pathology consultation on drug-induced hemolytic anemia.

Author(s): Pierce A, Nester T

Affiliation(s): Puget Sound Blood Center, 921 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.

Publication date & source: 2011-07, Am J Clin Pathol., 136(1):7-12.

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia is considered to be rare but is likely underrecognized. The consulting pathologist plays a critical role in integrating serologic findings with the clinical history, as drug-induced antibodies should be distinguished as either drug-dependent or drug-independent for appropriate clinical management. Drug-dependent antibodies (DDABs) are most commonly associated with cefotetan, ceftriaxone, and piperacillin, whereas fludarabine, methyldopa, beta-lactamase inhibitors, and platinum-based chemotherapeutics are frequent causes of drug-independent antibodies (DIABs). DDABs usually demonstrate a positive direct antiglobulin test and a negative elution, while DIABs are serologically indistinguishable from warm autoantibodies and are similarly steroid-responsive. Drug cessation is always recommended.

Page last updated: 2011-12-09

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017