Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Penicillin-induced hemolytic anemia and acute hepatic failure following treatment of tetanus in a horse.
- Journal:
- The Cornell veterinarian
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Step, D L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse being treated for tetanus with penicillin and tetanus antitoxin developed a serious condition called hemolytic anemia, where the body destroys its own red blood cells. During treatment, tests showed that the horse had a strong reaction to penicillin, indicating it was producing antibodies against the medication. While the horse did recover from both the tetanus and the anemia, it later faced another serious issue with its liver, likely caused by the tetanus antitoxin made from horse blood. Overall, the horse recovered from the initial treatments but had complications afterward.
Abstract
Acute, severe hemolytic anemia occurred in a horse being treated for tetanus with intravenous penicillin and tetanus antitoxin. During treatment, the horse developed a positive direct antiglobulin test and a high titer (maximum 1:1024) of IgG anti-penicillin antibody. The horse recovered from the tetanus and penicillin induced hemolytic anemia, but later developed acute hepatic failure, probably resulting from the administration of equine origin tetanus antitoxin.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1993388/