Development of acquired factor V inhibitor after treatment with ceftazidime: a case report and review of the literature

Qing-ya Cui,1 Hong-shi Shen,1 Tian-qin Wu,1 Hai-fei Chen,1 Zi-qiang Yu,2 Zhao-yue Wang2 1Department of Hematology, PLA 100th Hospital, 2Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China Abstract: We report the case of a 59-year-old Chinese man who showed an asymptomatic coagulation factor V deficiency pattern after second intravenous treatment with ceftazidime. Normal pooled plasma failed to correct the abnormalities in a mixing test, and the presence of factor V inhibitor was confirmed by the Bethesda method. The coagulopathy was not corrected by transfusion of fresh frozen plasma and prothrombin complex concentrate, but rather by treatment with prednisone and withdrawal of dubious drugs. The findings reported here should prompt clinicians to watch for drug-induced coagulation factor deficiency. Keywords: acquired factor V deficiency, coagulopathy, prednison