[Immune hemolytic anemia caused by catergen]

A case is presented of a man with chronic active hepatitis who developed immune hemolytic anemia in the course of a prolonged treatment with Catergen/(+)-Cianidanol-3/Zyma (four therapeutic courses in two years). The possible mechanism of hemolysis during Catergen treatment are discussed. The most probable mechanism is the absorption of the drug on the erythrocytes. The Catergen fixation on the erythrocytes does not require any special structure connected with the blood group antigens. Probably the link is non-covalent since the drug is easily removed from the erythrocytes--for 10 min at 56 degrees C.