Development of antibodies to human thrombin and factor V in a pediatric patient exposed to topical bovine thrombin

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010 Dec 1;55(6):1195-7. doi: 10.1002/pbc.22699.

Abstract

Bovine topical thrombin is commonly used for local hemostasis in pediatric surgery. Acquired inhibitors to coagulation factors, particularly to factor V and bovine thrombin, have been infrequently reported in the pediatric population. We report a 3-year-old male who developed a coagulopathy and clinical bleeding after cardiothoracic surgery, during which bovine topical thrombin was used for local hemostasis. Laboratory tests revealed elevated prothrombin, partial thromboplastin, and thrombin times, and a low factor V activity level. He was found to have both human-thrombin and factor V inhibitors, among the first reported cases of these combined inhibitors secondary to bovine topical thrombin. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and steroids with a rapid and durable response.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Animals
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / immunology
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / therapy
  • Blood Coagulation Factors / metabolism
  • Cattle
  • Child, Preschool
  • Factor V / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Factor V / immunology*
  • Hemorrhage / immunology
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Prothrombin Time
  • Thrombin / administration & dosage
  • Thrombin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Thrombin / immunology*
  • Thrombin Time
  • Thromboplastin / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Factor V
  • Thromboplastin
  • Thrombin