Drug-induced haemolytic anaemias and the mechanism and significance of Heinz body formation in red blood cells.

Abstract

SASS-KORTSAK et al.1 recently presented an interesting discussion of the mechanism of drug-induced haemolytic anaemia and the mechanisms and significance of Heinz body formation in red blood cells. In introducing this subject they cited recent observations of Harley and Maurer, Allen and Jandl, and of their own group as demonstrating that oxidation of haemoglobin may be an important part of the mechanism of drug-induced haemolysis. They then stated that, in a review published prior to the contributions of these authors, I2 had denied this possibility. This is an inadvertent misinterpretation of my published views, which I would like to have the opportunity to correct. I have always regarded the mechanism by which drugs cause haemolysis to be oxidation of a red cell component, probably haemoglobin, and have so stated repeatedly3. The point which I have questioned is whether methaemoglobin plays an essential part in this process.