Thrombocytosis and hyperkalemia associated with the use of ticarcillin/clavulanic acid

A Review and Assessment of Drug-Induced Thrombocytosis

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this article is to review the current literature on drug-induced thrombocytosis with the goal of critically assessing causality and providing a comprehensive review of the topic. Thrombopoietic growth factors, such as thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (romiplostim and eltrombopag) and erythropoietin are not included in our review.

DATA SOURCES

The literature search included published articles limited to the English language and humans in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. MEDLINE/PubMed (1966 to September 2018) was searched using the MeSH terms thrombocytosis/chemically-induced and thrombocytosis/etiology. EMBASE (1980 to September 2018) was searched using the EMTAGS thrombocytosis/side effect. Web of Science (1970 to September 2018) was searched using the search term thrombocytosis. References of all relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations and information.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Review articles, clinical trials, background data, case series, and case reports of drug-induced thrombocytosis were collected, and case reports were assessed for causality using a modified Naranjo nomogram.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Drug-induced thrombocytosis, a form of reactive thrombocytosis cannot be easily differentiated from more common etiologies of reactive thrombocytosis. In all, 43 case reports of drug-induced thrombocytosis from a wide variety of drugs and drug classes were reviewed using a modified Naranjo probability scale that included criteria specific for thrombocytosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug-induced thrombocytosis is a relatively rare adverse drug reaction. The strongest evidence of causality supports low-molecular-weight heparins and neonatal drug withdrawal. Weaker evidence exists for all-trans retinoic acid, antibiotics, clozapine, epinephrine, gemcitabine, and vinca alkaloids.

Examination of the Relationship Between Antimicrobials and Thrombocytosis

Objective:

To evaluate whether there is a relationship between antimicrobial therapy and the development of thrombocytosis.

Data Sources:

Literature was accessed through EMBASE (1977-June 2012) and MEDLINE (1977-June 2012) using the terms thrombocytosis and antimicrobial. In addition, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

All English-language publications identified were evaluated. For case reports, the Naranjo probability scale was used to calculate the likelihood of the drug causing the reaction.

Data Synthesis:

Thrombocytosis occurring during antimicrobial therapy is well documented, with several case reports and clinical trial observations. However, a direct causal relationship is not yet supported by the available literature. Platelets are welt known to be an acute phase reactant, with an elevated count occurring after acute conditions such as blood loss, inflammation, or infection. Thrombocytosis during antimicrobial therapy may be the result of an infectious process and not an adverse drug event.

Conclusions:

Based on the current available literature, a definitive link cannot be established between antimicrobial therapy and occurrence of thrombocytosis.

Extreme thrombocytosis under the treatment by amoxicillin/clavulanate

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate related extreme thrombocytosis during the treatment of pneumonia has never been reported. We present a 54-year-old patient who was admitted due to pneumonia, and was treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate IV and 3-day course of 500 mg azithromycin. Despite clinical and radiological evidence showing that pneumonia improved, thrombocytes increased rapidly. After stopping the antibiotic, the thrombocytes returned gradually to normal. Considering the clinical course, we propose that this extreme thrombocytosis was caused by the administration of amoxicillin/clavulanate. We describe this rare and unique patient and review the literature.

Drug-induced thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis is generally defined as platelet counts greater than 400,000/mm3. Thrombocytosis can be either primary or secondary. Adrenalin was one of the first drugs noticed to cause platelet elevations, probably due to demargination of platelets in the pulmonary vasculature. Vinca alkaloids have the most convincing data to show that they can induce thrombocytosis through their thrombocyte-stimulating properties. Miconazole has been implicated in causing thrombocytosis and has a documented case validated by drug rechallenge. Iron, predictably, can cause a transient thrombocytosis. The beta-lactam antibiotic data are very difficult to interpret due to the possibility of an acute-phase reaction in an infected patient being the cause of the thrombocytosis.