Ceftriaxone-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report on a Rare Medical Condition

Abstract

We present a case of antibody-confirmed drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) caused by ceftriaxone. DITP is a rare but potentially life-threatening cause of isolated thrombocytopenia in the inpatient setting, often leading to critically low platelet levels. The underlying mechanism is believed to be an immune-mediated response, where drug-dependent antibodies bind to glycoproteins on the platelet membrane in the presence of the offending drug, resulting in platelet destruction and thrombocytopenia. We describe a case of ceftriaxone-induced thrombocytopenia in a patient being treated for aspiration pneumonia complicated by sepsis. To the best of our knowledge, only eight similar cases have been reported in the literature.

Keywords: adverse effect; ceftriaxone adverse effects; clinical case report; drug-induced thrombocytopenia; heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (hit); sepsis.