Sulperazon-induced acute reactive thrombocytopenia during treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

The purpose of this study is to report a patient who developed acute reactive thrombocytopenia while undergoing treatment with sulperazon for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Sulperazon is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can act against a wide range of microorganisms, but rarely causes severe thrombocytopenic events. We describe a 62-year-old man with new-onset acute reactive thrombocytopenia who experienced a precipitous fall in the platelet count from 168×10(9)/L to 1×10(9)/L within 29 hours after exposure to sulperazon. Sulperazon was immediately discontinued followed by administration of intravenous immunoglobulin for six consecutive days. The platelet count eventually recovered and petechiae at the injection sites improved. No complications secondary to acute reactive thrombocytopenia were observed except petechiae.