Ceftriaxone-Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia and Subsequent Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

Authors

• Hunter T. Pham, Corewell Health West Resident
• Jennifer Bach, Corewell Health West
• Christian Kolacki, Corewell Health West
• Jeffery S. Jones, Corewell Health West
• Nathan DeBruine, Corewell Health West

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, most often associated with β-lactam antibiotics such as ceftriaxone. We report a 78-year-old woman who developed abrupt clinical deterioration and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) within 30 minutes of ceftriaxone administration for pneumonia, resulting in death eight hours after exposure despite aggressive resuscitation. Laboratory studies confirmed ceftriaxone-dependent antibodies and a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT), establishing the diagnosis of ceftriaxone-induced DIIHA with secondary DIC. This case underscores the fulminant and often fatal course of ceftriaxone-induced hemolytic anemia and highlights the critical importance of swift recognition and discontinuation of suspected offending agents in patients presenting with acute hemolysis and coagulopathy following antibiotic therapy.

Volume

18

Issue

2

First Page

e103776

Last Page

e103776

Recommended Citation

Pham HT, Bach J, Kolacki C, Jones JS, DeBruine N. Ceftriaxone-induced immune hemolytic anemia and subsequent disseminated intravascular coagulation. Cureus. 2026;18(2):e103776. doi: 10.7759/cureus.103776. PMID: 41869175.

DOI

10.7759/cureus.103776

ISSN

2168-8184

PubMed ID

41869175