Vancomycin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Red man syndrome, hypersensitivity reactions, neutropenia, nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity are well-recognized side effects of vancomycin. Now, researchers have characterized another severe adverse reaction, autoimmune thrombocytopenia.

From 2001 through 2005, serum samples from patients throughout the U.S. with suspected vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia were submitted to a Wisconsin laboratory for analysis. The investigators identified 34 individuals who had vancomycin-dependent, platelet-reactive IgM or IgG antibodies or both. In the 29 patients for whom follow-up information was available, the mean nadir platelet count was 13,600 per mm³ (range, 1000–60,000 per mm³) and was reached a mean of 8 days after initiation of vancomycin (range…