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Thromb Haemost 1975; 34(01): 083-093
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1651448
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Effects of Vancomycin on Platelets, Plasma Proteins and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Barry S Coller
1   Hematology Service and Blood Bank, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
,
W. B Lundberg   *
1   Hematology Service and Blood Bank, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
,
Harvey R Gralnick
1   Hematology Service and Blood Bank, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 14 March 1975

Accepted 23 April 1975

Publication Date:
02 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

The antibiotic vancomycin shares many similarities with ristocetin, an agent noted for its effects on platelets and plasma fibrinogen. Vancomycin did not aggregate platelets as ristocetin, but platelets were incorporated into precipitates induced by vancomycin. Fibrinogen and factor VIII were precipitated from plasma at low concentrations of vancomycin. The precipitated fibrinogen remained clottable. Hepatitis B surface antigen was selectively precipitated from serum and could be recovered from the precipitate. Rabbits receiving bolus intravenous injections of high doses of vancomycin developed hypofibrinogenemia and thrombocytopenia within minutes and often went on to die. Studies with 125I-vancomycin revealed little stable binding of the antibiotic to platelets or fibrinogen. A relationship is suggested between the potent protein precipitating effects and phlebitis at the infusion site commonly associated with vancomycin therapy.

* Current address, Department of Medical Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.


 

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