A Case of Rifampin-induced Severe Trombocytopenia

Rifampin-induced thrombocytopenia has been recognized as an immunological reaction associated with intermittent high dose therapy, or after administration of rifampin fo11owing aninterruption of therapy, and rarely seen with daily low dose therapy.

The patient was a 64 year-old male who was given rifampin 600mg daily for treatment of recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis. He had been received antituberculous treatment includingriftmpin 4 years ago. Spontaneous gum bleeding, petechiae on whole body, hemoptysis wasnoted two weeks after initiating the treatment. His platelet count was 5000/mm^3. Antituberculous medication was discontinued, but the platelet count was not recovered. He diedof severe hypoxemia due to pulmonary hemorrhage.

With the essential use of rifampin for the treatment of tuberculosis infections, clinicianshould recognize the possible complication of this drug causing such serious immunologic reactions as thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and acute renal failure with daily or intermittenttheupy.