Azathioprine-induced megaloblastic anemia with pancytopenia 22 years after living-related renal transplantation. 1998

C J Kim, and K I Park, and H Inoue, and T Yoshida, and T Yoshiki, and T Tomoyoshi, and H Abe, and M Kodama, and H Sako, and Y Nakane
Department of Urology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan.

Macrocytosis and megaloblastic changes in the bone marrow are frequently seen in renal transplant recipients treated with azathioprine (Az). However, severe anemia is a rare side effect of Az. We recently observed a case of severe megaloblastic anemia with pancytopenia in a renal transplant recipient who had been receiving Az therapy for 22 years. The patient was a 46-year-old woman who had been administered Az and prednisolone at a dose of approximately 1.7 mg/kg and 0.17 mg/kg daily, respectively. A bone marrow aspiration revealed megaloblastic anemia with the depletion of myeloid cells and megakaryocytes. She did not have vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Therefore, FK506 (tacrolimus), a macrolide produced by Streptomyces tsukubaensis, which acts directly on T cells and is known to have less myelosuppression than Az, was substituted for Az. Although the leukopenia improved, the anemia and thrombocytopenia did not improve in the short term. She developed dyspnea and severe subcutaneous bleeding of the right lower extremity due to knee contusions. Hemodialysis was started to treat her uremic state. Although it was impossible to evaluate the long-term effects of FK506 therapy for the pancytopenia in our case, the conversion from Az to a less myelosuppressive drug, such as FK506, should be considered in renal transplant recipients with severe myelosuppression caused by long-term Az treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010198 Pancytopenia Deficiency of all three cell elements of the blood, erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. Pancytopenias
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D001853 Bone Marrow The soft tissue filling the cavities of bones. Bone marrow exists in two types, yellow and red. Yellow marrow is found in the large cavities of large bones and consists mostly of fat cells and a few primitive blood cells. Red marrow is a hematopoietic tissue and is the site of production of erythrocytes and granular leukocytes. Bone marrow is made up of a framework of connective tissue containing branching fibers with the frame being filled with marrow cells. Marrow,Red Marrow,Yellow Marrow,Marrow, Bone,Marrow, Red,Marrow, Yellow
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000749 Anemia, Megaloblastic A disorder characterized by the presence of ANEMIA, abnormally large red blood cells (megalocytes or macrocytes), and MEGALOBLASTS. Anemias, Megaloblastic,Megaloblastic Anemia,Megaloblastic Anemias
D001379 Azathioprine An immunosuppressive agent used in combination with cyclophosphamide and hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), this substance has been listed as a known carcinogen. (Merck Index, 11th ed) Azathioprine Sodium,Azathioprine Sodium Salt,Azathioprine Sulfate,Azothioprine,Immuran,Imuran,Imurel,Sodium, Azathioprine
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D016030 Kidney Transplantation The transference of a kidney from one human or animal to another. Grafting, Kidney,Renal Transplantation,Transplantation, Kidney,Transplantation, Renal,Kidney Grafting,Kidney Transplantations,Renal Transplantations,Transplantations, Kidney,Transplantations, Renal

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