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A group of Canadian surgeons were surprised to find that the 42 year old man they were operating on had dark-green blood.
Analysis revealed that the blood discoloration was caused by sulfhemoglobinaemia, which happens when a sulfur atom becomes attached the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin protein present in blood.
The condition was likely caused by the patient's migraine medication, sumatriptan, which contains a sulfonamide group.
After going off sumatriptan, his blood returned to normal within five weeks. Sulfhemoglobinaemia usually goes away as red blood cells regenerate, but can necessitate a transfusion in extreme cases.
The Lancet June 9, 2007 (Registration Required)
New Scientist June 8, 2007
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