Cefotetan-induced haemolytic anaemia. A review of 85 cases

Pigment Nephropathy: Novel Insights into Inflammasome-Mediated Pathogenesis

Pigment nephropathy is an acute decline in renal function following the deposition of endogenous haem-containing proteins in the kidneys. Haem pigments such as myoglobin and haemoglobin are filtered by glomeruli and absorbed by the proximal tubules. They cause renal vasoconstriction, tubular obstruction, increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Haem is associated with inflammation in sterile and infectious conditions, contributing to the pathogenesis of many disorders such as rhabdomyolysis and haemolytic diseases. In fact, haem appears to be a signalling molecule that is able to activate the inflammasome pathway. Recent studies highlight a pathogenic function for haem in triggering inflammatory responses through the activation of the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Among the inflammasome multiprotein complexes, the NLRP3 inflammasome has been the most widely characterized as a trigger of inflammatory caspases and the maturation of interleukin-18 and -1β. In the present review, we discuss the latest evidence on the importance of inflammasome-mediated inflammation in pigment nephropathy. Finally, we highlight the potential role of inflammasome inhibitors in the prophylaxis and treatment of pigment nephropathy.

Adverse reactions associated with oral and parenteral use of cephalosporins: A retrospective population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Few studies have provided population-based, route-specific data on allergy to cephalosporin or incidence of serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the incidence of new reports of cephalosporin-associated "allergy" and serious ADRs.

METHODS

We identified all members of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California health plan given cephalosporins (from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2012), all new reports of cephalosporin-associated allergy, and all serious ADRs.

RESULTS

There were 622,456 health plan members exposed to 901,908 courses of oral cephalosporins and 326,867 members exposed to 487,630 courses of parenteral cephalosporins over the 3-year study period. New reports of allergy to cephalosporin were more frequent among women (0.56%; 95% CI, 0.54% to 0.57%) than among men (0.43%; 95% CI, 0.41% to 0.44%) per course (P < .0001). The most frequent serious cephalosporin-associated ADRs were Clostridium difficile infection within 90 days (0.91%), nephropathy within 30 days (0.15%), and all-cause death within 1 day (0.10%). None correlated with history of drug allergy. Physician-documented cephalosporin-associated anaphylaxis occurred with 5 oral exposures (95% CI, 1/1,428,571-1/96,154) and 8 parenteral exposures (95% CI, 1/200,000-1/35,971) (P = .0761). There were 3 documented cephalosporin-associated serious cutaneous adverse reactions (95% CI, 0-1 in 217,291). All were associated with the use of another antibiotic at the same time as cephalosporin.

CONCLUSIONS

Cephalosporins are widely and safely used, even in individuals with a history of penicillin allergy. Physician-documented cephalosporin-associated anaphylaxis and serious cutaneous adverse reactions are rare compared with C difficile infection within 90 days, nephropathy within 30 days, and all-cause death within 1 day.

Pathology consultation on drug-induced hemolytic anemia

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, β-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.

Immune hemolytic anemia associated with drug therapy

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is rare; it can be mild or associated with acute severe hemolytic anemia (HA) and death. About 125 drugs have been implicated as the cause. The HA can be caused by drug-independent antibodies that are indistinguishable, in vitro and in vivo, from autoantibodies causing idiopathic warm type autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). More commonly, the antibodies are drug-dependent (i.e., will only react in vitro in the presence of the drug). The most common drugs to cause DIIHA are anti-microbials (e.g., cefotetan, ceftriaxone and piperacillin), which are associated with drug-dependent antibodies. The most common drug to cause AIHA is fludarabine. Finding out which drug is causing the problem and stopping that drug is the first approach to therapy. It is not easy to identify the drug interactions accurately in vitro; laboratories specializing in this area can be of great help.

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is rare, and a specialized laboratory is often required to provide the optimal serological tests to confirm the diagnosis. The most common drugs associated with DIIHA and the hypotheses for the mechanisms thought to be involved have changed during the last few decades. The drugs most frequently associated with DIIHA at this time are cefotetan, ceftriaxone, and piperacillin. DIIHA is attributed most commonly to drug-dependent antibodies that can only be detected in the presence of drug (eg, cephalosporin antibodies). DIIHA can also be associated with drug-independent antibodies; such antibodies do not need drug to be present to obtain in vitro reactions (eg, fludarabine). In these latter cases, the drug affects the immune system, causing production of red cell (RBC) autoantibodies; the clinical and laboratory findings are identical to autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), other than the remission associated with discontinuing the drug. Some of the mechanisms involved in DIIHA are controversial. The most acceptable one involves drugs, like penicillin, that covalently bind to proteins (eg, RBC membrane proteins); RBCs become coated with drug in vivo and, a drug antibody (usually IgG) attaches to the drug-coated RBCs that are subsequently cleared by macrophages. The most controversial is the so-called immune complex mechanism, which has been revised to suggest that most drugs are capable of binding to RBC membrane proteins, but not covalently like penicillins. The combined membrane plus drug can create an immunogen; the antibodies formed can be IgM or IgG and often activate complement, leading to acute intravascular lysis and sometimes renal failure; fatalities are more common in this group. It is still unknown why and how some drugs induce RBC autoantibodies, sometimes causing AIHA.

Cefotetan-induced hemolytic anemia after perioperative prophylaxis

Cephalosporin-induced hemolytic anemia is an acquired form of hemolytic anemia caused by interaction of drug with the immune system. Drug adsorption, drug-dependent antibody, and autoimmune induction are the three mechanisms of hemolysis. Cefotetan-induced hemolytic anemia (CIHA) has been described to occur through all three mechanisms. We report four cases of CIHA that occurred after appropriate perioperative use of cefotetan. All of our patients developed an acute and severe hemolytic episode that caused significant symptoms and led to hospitalization within 1-2 weeks after exposure to cefotetan. The hemolytic process was self-limited, and all our patients responded to supportive measures and blood transfusion. This report adds to our knowledge of CIHA, a rare complication of cefotetan use. Our cases suggest that cefotetan-induced acute severe hemolysis is caused by membrane modification (nonimmunologic protein adsorption) in addition to immune complex formation. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive supportive measures are essential in minimizing morbidity and mortality from hemolysis. Physicians should warn their patients about this complication. Given that hemolysis occurs when the subject is no longer under direct clinical supervision, patient awareness on how to recognize signs and symptoms of hemolysis is paramount to reducing the likelihood of this potentially lethal side effect. Finally, physicians might consider restricting cefotetan use.

The Changing Spectrum of Drug-Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) occurs rarely. To date, about 100 drugs have been implicated in causing DIIHA and/or a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT). The most common drugs associated with DIIHA in the 1970s were methyldopa and penicillin; currently, they are cefotetan and ceftriaxone. Drug antibodies fall into two types: drug-independent ("autoantibodies") and drug-dependent ("penicillin type" or "immune complex type"); some patients have combinations of these antibodies. Some drugs cause nonimmunologic protein adsorption onto drug-treated red blood cells (RBCs). This is known to be the cause of positive indirect antiglobulin tests and is suspected to be a cause of positive DATs. This mechanism may be associated with hemolytic anemia. Twelve cephalosporins have been reported to cause DIIHA; five (primarily cefotetan and ceftriaxone) have been associated with fatalites. Patients with DIIHA due to cefotetan may only have received one dose of the drug prophylactically with surgery. Antibodies to cefotetan react to very high titers against drug-treated RBCs (and at lower titers against untreated RBCs without and/or with drug present). Patients with ceftriaxone-induced DIIHA have received the drug previously; reactions in children often occur minutes after ceftriaxone administration. Antibodies to ceftriaxone are only of the "immune complex type."

Cefuroxime-induced immune hemolysis

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (IHA) is rare but is being reported with increasing frequency. The most commonly cited cause of drug-induced IHA has been receipt of second and third generation cephalosporin antibiotics. We report the first case of IHA associated with cefuroxime administration.