Trimethoprim-induced immune hemolytic anemia in a pediatric oncology patient presenting as an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010 Dec 1;55(6):1201-3. doi: 10.1002/pbc.22648.

Abstract

A 10-year-old male with acute leukemia presented with post-chemotherapy anemia. During red cell transfusion, he developed hemoglobinuria. Transfusion reaction workup was negative. Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia was suspected because of positive direct antiglobulin test, negative eluate, and microspherocytes on smear pre- and post-transfusion. Drug studies using the indirect antiglobulin test were strongly positive with trimethoprim and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole but negative with sulfamethoxazole. The patient recovered after discontinuing the drug, with no recurrence in 2 years. Other causes of anemia should be considered in patients with worse-than-expected anemia after chemotherapy. Furthermore, hemolysis during transfusion is not always a transfusion reaction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic / chemically induced*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / diagnosis*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / immunology
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Transfusion Reaction*
  • Trimethoprim / adverse effects*
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / adverse effects

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
  • Trimethoprim