Haemolytic anaemia due to Infective or Toxic factors

Some well known bacteria can produce a haemolytic anaemia in man, e.g., Streptococci, Staphylococci, and Clostridium Welchii, but this is rare. Malaria is the most important protozoal infection which can lead to a haemolytic anaemia, e.g., Blackwater fever.

Numerous chemical agents can cause haemolytic anaemia,e e.g., arsenic, lead, sulphonamides, potassium chlorate, naphthalene, phenyl-hydrazine, methyldopa, and nitrofurantoin.

The red cells in some people are deficient in an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Such individuals may develop haemolytic anaemia following contact with beans of the plant "Vicia Faba", or with it's pollen (favism), or from taking certain drugs, e.g., primaquine and sulphonamides.