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Updated: May 20, 2026
11:17
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Piperacillin/tazobactam induced thrombocytopaenia--a delayed response.
Jessica L Macwilliam1, Rahul Mistry, Michael S Floyd
1Urology Department, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK. jmac@doctors.org.uk
BMJ Case Reports
|July 11, 2012
Summary
A delayed reaction to piperacillin/tazobactam caused severe thrombocytopaenia in a sepsis patient. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was necessary to restore normal platelet counts.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Sepsis is a life-threatening condition requiring prompt antibiotic treatment.
- Pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction can lead to sepsis.
- Piperacillin/tazobactam is a commonly used antibiotic for severe infections.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old female patient presented with sepsis due to pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction.
- She received an extended course of piperacillin/tazobactam.
- Four days post-treatment, she developed severe thrombocytopaenia (low platelet count).
Findings:
- The patient required intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to normalize her platelet count.
- No other causes for thrombocytopaenia were identified.
- A delayed hypersensitivity reaction to piperacillin/tazobactam was suspected as the cause.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare delayed adverse reaction to piperacillin/tazobactam.
- Awareness of this potential side effect is crucial for clinicians.
- Further investigation into the mechanisms of delayed antibiotic-induced thrombocytopaenia may be warranted.
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