Vancomycin-induced neutropenia in a patient positive for an antineutrophil antibody

Pharmacotherapy. 2002 Jun;22(6):783-8. doi: 10.1592/phco.22.9.783.34059.

Abstract

A 48-year-old man, hospitalized after experiencing subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a basilar aneurysm, received vancomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. He developed neutropenia 16 days after the start of vancomycin therapy, and his white blood cell count decreased to a nadir of 1200 cells/mm3. Vancomycin was discontinued, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy was begun. The patient was rechallenged with a single dose of vancomycin 1 g in preparation for intraarterial aneurysm coiling. His white blood cell count dropped to 600 cells/mm3 but returned to normal with continued G-CSF therapy. A diagnosis of vancomycin-induced neutropenia was considered. Subsequent testing by granulocyte agglutination and granulocyte immunofluorescence assays revealed that his serum was positive for an antigranulocyte antibody. A test for HLA antibody reactivity was negative. Monoclonal antibody immobilization of granulocyte antigens assay failed to determine the antigen specificity of his granulocyte antibody.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autoantibodies / analysis*
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced*
  • Neutropenia / immunology
  • Neutrophils / immunology*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / blood
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Vancomycin / adverse effects*
  • Vancomycin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Autoantibodies
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Vancomycin