Postoperative fever secondary to enoxaparin usage with pork allergy. Issue 1 (7th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gosnell, Heather; Stein, Andrew; Vanegas Acosta, Diego E
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 15:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-07
• Subjects: haematology (incl blood transfusion) -- general practice / family medicine -- infectious diseases -- medical education; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246904
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Postoperative fevers are common in hospitalised patients and warrant workup beyond the early post-op period. A 50-year-old man was admitted after sustaining a tibial plateau fracture. Fevers began 3 days after external fixation and persisted through a second surgery despite initial negative workup. Careful review of medications revealed enoxaparin as the instigating agent of a febrile drug reaction, and the fevers resolved after discontinuing the drug. On further questioning, it was discovered the patient had an allergy to pork, from which the main components of enoxaparin are typically derived. To our knowledge, this is the first reported enoxaparin-induced fever in the setting of a pork allergy. Enoxaparin-induced fevers should be considered in patients with unexplained post-op fever. Our case demonstrates the importance of analysing newly administered medications. Simple detailed history may significantly reduce patient morbidity and help to broaden differentials during investigation.