[Acute reversible agranulocytosis during ceftriaxone treatment].

A 75-year-old man developed acute transient agranulocytosis. Hematologic data and course were suggestive of a toxic etiology. The patient had been admitted for pneumococcal septicemia and a polymicrobial abscess of the soft tissues of the left leg. At the time of diagnosis of the agranulocytosis, he had received 36 g ceftriaxone. The agranulocytosis resolved following discontinuation of ceftriaxone. This drug was, in all likeliness, responsible for the hematologic disorder. Renal failure occurred concomitantly with the agranulocytosis. Other similar cases have been reported. In view of these data, blood counts should be monitored in patients receiving prolonged courses of ceftriaxone.