Acute Thrombocytosis in a Patient Treated with Ertapenem

Edward K Sarfo; Jennifer L Dziemianko; Thomas Chen; Kosuke K Iwaki

doi:10.12890/2024_004283

Acute Thrombocytosis in a Patient Treated with Ertapenem

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2024 Jan 25;11(2):004283. doi: 10.12890/2024_004283. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Edward K Sarfo¹, Jennifer L Dziemianko^{1

2}, Thomas Chen¹, Kosuke K Iwaki^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
² NYC Health and Hospitals, Elmhurst Hospital Center, New York, USA.

Abstract

Ertapenem, a carbapenem-type beta-lactam antibiotic, demonstrates broad-spectrum efficacy against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including aerobes and anaerobes. Importantly, it demonstrates resistance to virtually all beta-lactamases, including the extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Haematologic complications such as thrombocytosis, haemolysis, anaemia, and neutropenia are infrequent side effects associated with this drug. In this report, we present a rare case of ertapenem-induced thrombocytosis in a 62-year-old female patient who was admitted for a complicated urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli.

Learning points: Ertapenem was identified as the most likely cause of thrombocytosis.Discontinuing ertapenem normalised the platelet count.It is crucial for physicians to identify and address causes of thrombocytosis, particularly when related to medications, to avoid inadvertent complications and to ensure effective patient care.

Keywords: Ertapenem; thrombocytosis.