Pure red cell aplasia induced by clomipramine hydrochloride in a patient with SLE

Abstract

A 48-year-old woman, who had been suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), developed normochromic normocytic anemia after receiving clomipramine hydrochloride. Her reticulocyte count was low, and a bone marrow aspirate revealed erythroid hypoplasia without involvement of other cell lines. Thus a diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) was made. The anemia gradually resolved following withdrawal of the drug. Although several drugs are known to cause PRCA, this is the first time that clomipramine hydrochloride has been reported to have such an effect. The underlying SLE in this case suggested the possible immunological pathogenesis of drug-induced PRCA.