[Chronic ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (author's transl)]

A 27-year-old male developed an autoimmune hemolytic anemia during the initial episode of chronic ulcerative colitis. Laboratory studies revealed a positive direct Coomb's test (IgG + C), and the presence of specific anti-Hr antibody. Salicylazosulfapyridine was tested by means of immunohematologic techniques, but results discarded this drug as the responsible agent for autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Association of ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia is an uncommon finding; around 36 cases have been published in the literature. Hemolytic anemia may develop as a consequence of treatment with salicylazosulfapyridine, the antimicrobial of choice in the management of inflammatory diseases of the bowel.