HEMATOLOGICAL TOXICITY OF TEICOPLANIN - 2 CASE-STUDIES

Teicoplanin tolerance is usually good. Leukoneutropenia (leukopenia) h as rarely been noted (0.3 %). Two of our patients who were treated wit h teicoplanin for bone or/and joint infections experienced severe febr ile leukoneutropenia after 14 and 21 days of therapy. Abnormal hematol ogical values quickly reverted to normal after teicoplanin was stopped while associated treatments were not modified. Vancomycin was given t o one of these two patients with no adverse effect. The mechanism of t eicoplanin hematological toxicity remains unknown. This side-effect of teicoplanin remains very infrequent and its excellent tolerance and e fficiency cannot be questioned.