Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Penicillin-induced immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1992
- Authors:
- McConnico, R S et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old female American Quarter Horse was found to have a condition called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, which means her immune system was mistakenly attacking her own red blood cells. This was confirmed through a specific blood test that showed a positive reaction to penicillin, a common antibiotic. After stopping the penicillin and providing supportive care, the horse showed improvement and her anemia got better. This case highlights that penicillin can sometimes cause this type of anemia in horses.
Abstract
A 5-year-old female American Quarter Horse was determined to have immune-mediated hemolytic anemia after detection of a positive response to a direct Coombs' test. Penicillin-induced immune-mediated hemolytic anemia was confirmed via a direct antiglobulin test, using penicillin-coated RBC. The horse was clinically improved and the anemia resolved in response to supportive care and discontinuation of penicillin treatment. Penicillin should be considered a possible cause of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1429188/