Vancomycin-induced neutropenia.
Although rare, neutropenia associated with long-term vancomycin therapy may occur. A 67-year-old woman with cellulitis and sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus was treated initially with cefazolin. Despite in-vitro susceptibility of the organism to this drug, the patient remained febrile, and therapy was changed to vancomycin. On day 17 of therapy with this medication neutropenia was noted; it progressed over the next 3 days, and therapy with the drug was stopped. A rise in the neutrophil count occurred within 5 days of discontinuation. Periodic monitoring of the leukocyte count during longterm vancomycin therapy is recommended.
D000368:Aged; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014640:Vancomycin