A Rare Case of Vancomycin-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia

Vancomycin-induced immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare type of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) that can lead to life-threatening consequences as a result of its use. We herein report a case of a 74-year-old male with a history of diabetes mellitus type II, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke who presented to the ICU with sepsis. The patient was on heparin for 20 days prior to presentation, with platelet levels at the time within normal limits as per his baseline. Following the introduction of vancomycin to his clinical regimen in the treatment of sepsis, the patient developed a significant drop in platelet count from 400 x10³/mm³ to 70 x10³/mm³. Discontinuation of the drug leads to improvement of the platelet counts confirming the diagnosis of vancomycin-induced ITP.