A rare adverse reaction to ethambutol: drug-induced haemolytic anaemia

A Nicolini; A Perazzo; P Gatto; I M G Piroddi; C Barlascini; S Karamichali; P Strada

doi:10.5588/ijtld.15.0742

A rare adverse reaction to ethambutol: drug-induced haemolytic anaemia

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2016 May;20(5):704-5. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0742.

Authors

A Nicolini¹, A Perazzo¹, P Gatto¹, I M G Piroddi¹, C Barlascini², S Karamichali³, P Strada⁴

Affiliations

¹ Respiratory Diseases Unit, General Hospital, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy.
² Hygiene and Health Medicine Unit, General Hospital, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy.
³ Department of Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, General Hospital, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy.
⁴ Immunohaematology Service, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino Istituto Scientifico Tumori, Genoa, Italy.

PMID: 27084828
DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0742

Abstract

Anti-tuberculosis drugs seldom cause serious haematological side effects. However, among these drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin, especially when administered intermittently, may very rarely be linked to acute autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Ethambutol (EMB) can cause dose-related retrobulbar neuritis. In this paper, we present the first reported case of acute fatal autoimmune haemolytic anaemia due to EMB.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / chemically induced*
Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / diagnosis
Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / therapy
Antitubercular Agents / adverse effects*
Ethambutol / adverse effects*
Fatal Outcome
Humans
Male
Risk Factors
Silicotuberculosis / drug therapy*

Substances

Antitubercular Agents
Ethambutol