FUSIDIC ACID-INDUCED ACUTE IMMUNOLOGICAL THROMBOCYTOPENIA

Fusidic acid is used in hospitals as second-line therapy for multidrug -resistant staphylococcal infections. We report the first fully docume nted case of fusidic acid induced thrombocytopenia, in a 48-year-old p atient, The thrombocytopenia was abrupt and severe but resolved sponta neously 7d after drug withdrawal, The thrombocytopenia transiently rel apsed 6d later, when fusidic acid was reintroduced. Haemorrhagic signs were observed, but no severe bleeding occurred, Platelet transfusions failed to increase the platelet count. We detected an IgG platelet an tibody in the patient's serum, that specifically recognized platelet g lycoprotein IIb/IIIa only in the presence of fusidic acid. Fusidic aci d induced thrombocytopenia should be considered as a possible cause fo r the thrombocytopenia frequently seen in the intensive care setting.