Intravascular Hemolytic Anemia in a Patient with Antibodies Related to Meropenem

Abstract

A 76-year-old woman treated with meropenem developed intravascular hemolytic attacks. A direct antiglobulin test was positive for C3d and IgG, and drug-dependent antibody testing indicated that the antibodies were indeed drug-dependent and reacted with drug-treated RBCs and RBCs in the presence of the drug. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which the causative antibodies related to meropenem were identified. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion for drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia in patients with explained hemolysis as well as conducting specialized serologic testing.