Often used in intensive care units, the antibiotic vancomycin is considered the drug of choice for the treatment of staphylococci (staph) infections that are resistant to most other antibiotics.

In a new study by researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and the BloodCenter of Wisconsin's Blood Research Institute, vancomycin has been found to be linked to an abnormal decrease in blood platelet count.

Low blood platelet count - a condition called thrombocytopenia - can be fatal once accompanied by uncontrollable bleeding.

According to Richard H. aster M.D., professor of medicine at the Medical College, and senior investigator at the Blood Research Institute:

"We found a close correlation between exposure to vancomycin, development of a vancomycin-dependent antibody, and the onset of severe thrombocytopenia accompanied by serious bleeding in most cases. Three of the 29 cases described ended fatally. Serious bleeding appears to have contributed to these outcomes."

Complete study results appeared in the March 1, 2007 edition of New England Journal of Medicine.

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