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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Nanomechanics of Drug-target Interactions and Antibacterial Resistance Detection
Published on: October 25, 2013
Teicoplanin-dependent antibodies: detection and characterization
Stephen F Garner1, Kate Campbell, Graham Smith
1National Blood Service, Cambridge, UK. sfg21@cam.ac.uk
Abstract:
There are only a few reports of thrombocytopenia associated with clinical doses of teicoplanin, a glycopeptide antibiotic used against Gram-positive bacteria. We investigated 39 patients receiving teicoplanin; 31 were thrombocytopenic with platelet counts between 1-105 x 10(9)/l and 8 were not thrombocytopenic. We identified 14 thrombocytopenic cases (45%) and two (25%) non-thrombocytopenic cases with IgG teicoplanin-dependent platelet-reactive antibodies. Use of glycoprotein (GP) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with platelets and GPIIb/IIIa transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary cells as well as flow cytometry with GP-deficient platelets indicated that the GPIIb/IIIa complex is a major target antigen of these antibodies.
Insights
Teicoplanin, an antibiotic, can cause thrombocytopenia (low platelets) by triggering specific antibodies. These antibodies target the GPIIb/IIIa complex on platelets, explaining this adverse drug reaction.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic effective against Gram-positive bacteria.
- Thrombocytopenia is a rare but reported side effect of teicoplanin therapy.
- The exact mechanism underlying teicoplanin-induced thrombocytopenia remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and mechanism of thrombocytopenia in patients treated with teicoplanin.
- To identify potential platelet-reactive antibodies associated with teicoplanin administration.
- To determine the specific platelet antigens targeted by these antibodies.
Main Methods:
- Studied 39 patients receiving teicoplanin, categorizing them by platelet count.
- Assayed for teicoplanin-dependent, platelet-reactive IgG antibodies using glycoprotein capture ELISA and flow cytometry.
- Utilized GPIIb/IIIa transfected cells and GP-deficient platelets to identify target antigens.
Main Results:
- 31 out of 39 patients (79%) developed thrombocytopenia.
- IgG teicoplanin-dependent platelet-reactive antibodies were detected in 45% of thrombocytopenic patients and 25% of non-thrombocytopenic patients.
- The GPIIb/IIIa complex was identified as a primary target antigen for these antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Teicoplanin-induced thrombocytopenia is associated with the development of specific IgG antibodies.
- These antibodies target the GPIIb/IIIa complex on platelets.
- The findings elucidate a key mechanism of this adverse drug reaction, aiding in diagnosis and management.
