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Piperacillin/tazobactam‐induced immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Boyce K.,
Brar H.,
Stabler S. N.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12458
Subject(s) - medicine , piperacillin/tazobactam , immune thrombocytopenia , piperacillin , intensive care unit , intensive care medicine , adverse effect , tazobactam , critically ill , immune system , immunology , antibody , genetics , bacteria , pseudomonas aeruginosa , biology
Summary What is known and objective Drug‐induced immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia is a rare adverse event that remains a diagnostic challenge, especially in the critically ill population. There are only two previously reported cases of rapid and profound thrombocytopenia after administration of piperacillin/tazobactam. Case summary A 64‐year‐old man experienced several episodes of isolated thrombocytopenia after receiving piperacillin/tazobactam. Interestingly, the degree of thrombocytopenia varied with the amount of corticosteroid therapy the patient was receiving. Due to the complexity of thrombocytopenia in critically ill patients, other potential causes were extensively worked up and ruled out. What is new and conclusion We describe the first case of piperacillin/tazobactam‐induced immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia that was mitigated by the administration of corticosteroid therapy. This case highlights the importance of identifying potential drug‐related causes of isolated thrombocytopenia.