title: Linezolid-Induced anemia and thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Linezolid, a fluorinated oxazolidinone, is the first of a new class of antimicrobials designed to target resistant gram-positive cocci. Hematologic adverse effects, including reversible thrombocytopenia, were reported during phase III comparator-controlled trials. A 66-year-old man developed sternal osteomyelitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus bacteremia developed after several surgical debridements and courses of vancomycin failed to improve the patient's condition. Oral linezolid 600 mg twice/day was begun; 17 days later, a complete blood count revealed that his hematocrit had decreased from 37.4% to 24.8%, and his platelet count had decreased from 234 x 10(3)/mm3 to 149 x 10(3)/mm3. Both values returned to normal after linezolid was discontinued. Complete blood counts should be monitored closely in patients taking linezolid, especially if therapy continues for more than 14 days.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas 75235, USA.
authors.forename: Travis W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Waldrep
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Skiest
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000069349:Linezolid; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D000069349:Linezolid