Agranulocytosis Secondary to Ceftaroline Use: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Ceftaroline is a fifth generation cephalosporin with bactericidal activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, and is the only cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A 23-year-old female with a history of frequent intravenous drug use was admitted to the medical intensive care unit with an MRSA infection resulting in bacterial meningitis, bacteremia and multifocal pneumonia. MRSA therapy was escalated during the admission to a combination of daptomycin and ceftaroline with subsequent clearance of her blood cultures. However, following the introduction of these medications, the patient developed agranulocytosis without parallel involvement of her other cell lines. This agranulocytosis resolved with discontinuation of ceftaroline. Clinicians must maintain vigilance with regard to patients’ neutrophil counts when prescribing treatment with ceftaroline for prolonged periods of time.




J Hematol. 2016;5(3):103-105
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jh281w