Reversible Neutropenia From Vancomycin

To the Editor.— Although ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity are the most feared complications associated with vancomycin hydrochloride,1at least seven patients in whom neutropenia developed have been described in the literature (236:1604, 1976).2-4Three additional cases have been reported to the Eli Lilly Company (Dr A. F. Crumley, written communication, Penicillin Gand Gentamicin Sulfate Erythromycin and Rifampin 20,000 — 10,000 — Vancomycin Hydrochloride Total WBC Count —Neutrophil Count 10 20 30 40 50 Day of Hospitalization 60 70 80 90 Total WBC and neutrophil counts during hospitalization. 1978). In most of the well-documented cases, the patient was receiving or had recently received other agents that might have caused the neutropenia. We have recently seen a patient whose severe