cefoxitin and Anemia--Hemolytic

The idiopathic Tn-syndrome, formerly called 'permanent mixed-field polyagglutinability', is a rare hematological disorder characterized by the expression of the Tn-antigen on all blood cell lineages. The immunodominant epitope of the Tn-antigen is terminal alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine, O-glycosidically linked to protein. Normally this residue is 3'-substituted by 5-galactose thereby forming the core 1 structure known as the Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen (Galbeta1 ==> 3GalNAcalpha1 ==> Thr/Ser). The cause of the exposure of the Tn-antigen appears to be due to the silencing of the gene expression of beta1,3galactosyltransferase, since treatment of deficient Tn(+) lymphocyte T clones with 5'azacytidine or Na butyrate leads to reexpression of enzyme activity and the sialylated TF-antigen. The Tn-syndrome is acquired and permanent and affects both sexes at any age. Its origin is unknown. Pluripotent stem cells are affected since all lineages are involved but each one to a variable extent. Therefore, normal cells co-exist with Tn-transformed cells. Clinically, patients suffering from the Tn-syndrome appear healthy. Laboratory findings usually reveal moderate thrombocyto- and leukopenia and some signs of hemolytic anemia not warranting any treatment.

Topics: Anemia, Hemolytic; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Neoplasm; Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; Azacitidine; Blood Cells; Erythrocyte Membrane; Galactosyltransferases; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Lectins; Leukopenia; Molecular Structure; Syndrome; Thrombocytopenia

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia is a rare but underdiagnosed and potentially fatal condition. We report a case of severe hemolytic anemia induced by cefoxitin in a 45-year-old woman admitted with menometrorrhagia. Hemoglobin levels reached a nadir of 4.7 g/dl approximately 72 h after cefoxitin initiation, and hemolysis resolved when cefoxitin was discontinued and prednisone 1 mg/kg was initiated. A transfusion reaction workup revealed no abnormalities. Direct antiglobulin testing was weakly positive with anti-C3. The patient's plasma and RBC eluate reacted with cefoxitin-treated RBCs but not with untreated RBCs in the presence or absence of cefoxitin.

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Hemolytic; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Blood Transfusion; Cefoxitin; Female; Humans; Leiomyoma; Menorrhagia; Prednisone

Most drug-induced immune hemolytic anemias since the late 1980s have been caused by the second- and third-generation cephalosporins, cefotetan and ceftriaxone, respectively. Cross-reactivity of cefotetan and ceftriaxone antibodies with other cephalosporins or penicillin has been studied only minimally. We tested 7 serum samples previously identified to contain cefotetan antibodies and one serum sample previously identified to contain ceftriaxone antibodies against 9 other cephalosporins, penicillin, and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid in the presence of RBCs and also used hapten inhibition to indicate cross-reactivity. Serum samples containing cefotetan antibodies showed some cross-reactivity with cephalothin and cefoxitin (and to a much lesser extent with penicillin and ceftazidime). The ceftriaxone antibodies showed very weak cross-reactivity with cefotaxime, cefamandole, and cefoperazone. There was very little cross-reactivity between cefotetan antibodies and the drugs tested in the present study. We have no data to determine whether the in vitro data relate to in vivo reactivity.

Topics: Anemia, Hemolytic; Antibodies; Cefamandole; Cefoperazone; Cefotaxime; Cefotetan; Cefoxitin; Ceftriaxone; Cells, Cultured; Cephalosporins; Cephalothin; Cross Reactions; Humans; Models, Chemical; Penicillins

Topics: Adult; Ampicillin; Anemia, Hemolytic; Cefoxitin; Female; Furosemide; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pyelonephritis; Respiration Disorders; Thrombocytopenia

A case of polymorphic immunocytoma (B cell lymphoma) coinciding with expression of Tn antigen on a population of erythrocytes is presented. Tn activation was found incidentally by screening blood samples of patients suffering from hematologic malignancies with a Tn specific lectin from Salvia sclarea. So far, Tn activation has been reported only in apparently healthy subjects or in subjects suffering from or developing myeloid leukemia.

Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Aged; Anemia, Hemolytic; Antigens, Neoplasm; Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; B-Lymphocytes; Female; Hemagglutination; Humans; Lymphoma; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System

A 77-year-old man received cefoxitin for the treatment of peritonitis. He developed hemolytic anemia and became clinically jaundiced. The patient was switched from cefoxitin to doxycycline. His total bilirubin decreased and his hematocrit increased. Several weeks later he developed septicemia. For an infiltration in the left lower lobe, he was treated with cefoxitin and gentamicin. The patient proceeded to develop a mild granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Anemia was not seen because the patient was transfused several times. Bone marrow aspiration showed a mildly hypocellular marrow with a depression of all cell series, suggesting drug-induced bone marrow toxicity. Nine days after discontinuing cefoxitin, his blood elements had gone back to normal. This is the fourth case on file at Merck Sharp & Dohme of hemolytic anemia induced by cefoxitin. There have been several reports of hemolytic anemia or pancytopenia caused by cephalothin, but few, if any, citing the other cephalosporins, particularly cefoxitin. Clinicians should be made aware of the possibility of hematologic toxicities occurring with cefoxitin therapy. Patients should have their erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets monitored while on this drug.

Topics: Aged; Anemia, Hemolytic; Blood Cell Count; Cefoxitin; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Male; Pancytopenia; Platelet Count; Time Factors