Survival after necrotizing enterocolitis of leukemia treated with oral vancomycin.

A 56-yr-old female with chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Prednisone therapy was instituted, but her disease was further complicated by the development of necrotizing enterocolitis. No specific enteropathogens were identified, and the stools were consistently negative for Clostridium difficile toxin. Treatment with vancomycin was instituted and resulted in complete recovery. In view of the high mortality and poor results of treatment in necrotizing enterocolitis, it is postulated that a further trial of this drug is justified.