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China Medical Journal 2019 Volume 54 No.

7 -Works- 727

Analysis about 3 cases of linezolid-induced severe anemia and literature review


NIE Li-hui, WANG Jing, CAI Bao-yun, HUANG Xue-rui, CHU Nai-hui * (Department of Tuberculosis, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital
Medical University, Beijing 101149, China)
*
Corresponding author, Email: dongchu1994@sina.com
Objective: In order to cause clinicians’concern about hematological side effect of linezolid by cases analysis and literature review. Method
Collected and analysed clinical data of 3 cases of severe anemia treatmed with linezolid-containing regimens, and reviewed literatures relative
to linezolid. Result 3 patients got severe anemia after using linezolid-containing regimens 4-12months, the hemoglobins(Hb) returned to normal
after discontinuing linezolid 1.5-6months. Combination treatment of linezolid and vitamin B 6 might alleviate linezolid- associated hematologic
side effect. Side effect about hematological system relative to linezolid should be surveyed, blood smear and bone marrow examination should
be implemented when necessary. Conclusion Linezolid may cause severe anemia, Hb can return to normal after discontinue lizenolid reatment.
Keywords: Linezolid; Adverse reaction; Anemia; Drug-resistant tuberculosis

CLC No.: R521 Document Code: A Article ID: 1008-1070 (2019) 07-0727-04
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1008-1070.2019.07.011

Linezolid, a synthetic antimicrobial agent year and had a normal hemoglobin level prior to
from the oxazolidinone class, is highly the use of linezolid. She was admitted to the
effective against infections caused by a broad hospital in June 2015 due to fever, chest
range of Gram-positive pathogens, including tightness, and malaise. Subsequent routine
drug-resistant bacteria[1]. Additionally, blood tests revealed leukocytes of
9 12
linezolid exhibits potent antimycobacterial 10.39×10 /L, erythrocytes of 1.55×10 /L,
effects and maintains equal antibacterial hemoglobin of 43g/L, mean erythrocyte volume of
activity against both sensitive and resistant 96.8fL (reference range: 80 to 98fL), mean
strains[2]. While linezolid's use in erythrocyte hemoglobin content of 27.7 pg
antituberculosis treatment was previously an (reference range: 27 to 34pg), platelets of
over-the-counter medication, the World Health 425×109/L, and reticulocytes of 10.3%. She had
Organization classified it as a Group A drug been on linezolid for a year when severe anemia
for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was detected. Hemoglobin levels increased to
in 2018[3].The potential adverse effects of its 60g/L after 10 days of discontinuing linezolid
long-term use have generated widespread and six months later, it was 114g/L.
interest. In this paper, the clinical data of Case 2 concerns a 37-year-old male with a
three patients with severe anemia due to 5-year history of extensively drug-resistant
linezolid's antituberculosis therapy are tuberculosis. Antituberculosis regimens over
reported, with the aim of drawing clinicians' the last six months included moxifloxacin,
attention to this issue. propylthioisonicotinamide, cycloserine,
1 Clinical Data aminosalicylate sodium, linezolid, and
Case 1 concerns a 36-year-old female with a clarithromycin. He was admitted to the hospital
co-infection of extensively drug-resistant in September 2015 due to fatigue and nausea.
tuberculosis and a 3-year history of Upon admission, complete blood counts showed
tuberculosis, with no other medical history. leukocytes of 4.16×109/L, erythrocytes of
Sputum tuberculosis culture and drug 2.19×1012/L, hemoglobin of 46g/L, mean
sensitivity results indicated resistance to erythrocyte volume of 84fL, mean erythrocyte
isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, hemoglobin content of 25.6 pg, and platelets of
streptomycin, amikacin, capreomycin, and 225×109/L, suggesting severe anemia.
ofloxacin. The patient had been on a regimen of Hemoglobin levels returned to normal 2 months
capreomycin, moxifloxacin, linezolid, after discontinuing linezolid.
clofazimine, and clarithromycin for the past Case 3 is about a 36-year-old female with a

Founded by: Beijing Tongzhou District “Two High” Talent Project


* :: Correspondence to: Email: dongchul994@sina.com
728: -Works- China Medical Journal 2019 Volume 54 No.
7
2-year history of extensively drug-resistant translational system, and due to its unique
tuberculosis. Tuberculosis culture and drug site and mode of action, it largely shows no
sensitivity tests indicated resistance to cross-resistance with other antimicrobials. The
isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, mechanism of action of linezolid in
streptomycin, amikacin, and levofloxacin, with tuberculosis treatment aligns with its
sensitivity only to capreomycin and resistance to multi-drug resistant Gram-
aminosalicylate sodium. The patient was positive cocci. Due to this drug's unique mechanism
diagnosed with severe anemia upon presentation of action, it doesn't overlap with other antibacterial drugs
in January 2016, and the antituberculosis that inhibit protein synthesis in terms of its target of action,
regimen for the four months prior consisted of and it is unlikely to induce the production of bacterial
pyrazinamide, moxifloxacin, capreomycin, drug-resistant genes in vitro[8]. Linezolid demonstrates
clofazimine, cycloserine, and linezolid. On notable activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in
January 13, 2016, complete blood count showed vitro, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of <
white blood cells of 4.02×10 9/L, red blood 1 mg/L, specifically 0.125 to 0.5 mg/L. It exhibits equal
cells of 2.29×1012/L, hemoglobin of 53g/L, mean antibacterial activity against sensitive and resistant strains
erythrocyte volume of 72.5fL, mean erythrocyte and possesses an antimicrobial effect on both rapidly
hemoglobin content of 22.3 pg, and platelets of proliferating and quiescent bacterial populations [9]. A 2016
169×109/L. Before using linezolid, the literature review and meta-analysis by Agyeman and
patient's hemoglobin was 108 g/L, which Ofori-Asenso[10] showed an overall sputum culture
decreased to 83 g/L after 1 month, and to 53 negative rate of 88.45% for MDR-TB/XDR-TB treated
g/L after 4 months (January 2016). Two weeks with a linezolid-containing regimen, and a treatment
after discontinuing linezolid, a follow-up success rate of 77.36%. This is higher than the
examination showed a hemoglobin of 74 g/L, RR-TB/MDR-TB treatment success rate (52%) and the
which returned to normal (110 g/L) after 1.5 XDR-TB treatment success rate (26%) reported by the
months. WHO in 2016. Both basic and clinical studies
2 Discussion have validated the effectiveness of linezolid
As per the World Health Organization's in the treatment of drug-resistant
Guidelines for the Programmatic Management of tuberculosis.
Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (2006)[4], linezolid 2.2 Major adverse reactions to linezolid Clinical
falls under Group 5 of the antituberculosis studies have verified the efficacy of linezolid in MDR-
drugs, a category denoting antituberculosis TB/XDR-TB treatment. However, the long-term use
agents with unclear efficacy. Linezolid is of antituberculosis drugs can lead to various
among the most effective drugs in Group 5 and adverse effects. Reports about the adverse
plays a key role in the chemotherapeutic effects of linezolid have gained significant
regimen for extensively drug-resistant attention. The most common side effects of linezolid
[5]
tuberculosis (XDR-TB) . The WHO Treatment include neurotoxicity (encompassing peripheral
Guidelines for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, neurotoxicity and optic neurotoxicity) and
2016 Update[6], categorizes antituberculosis myelosuppression, with the onset of neurotoxicity usually
drugs into groups A, B, C, and D1-3, with occurring later than myelosuppression and being primarily
linezolid classified under Group C, defined as linked to the duration of therapy[11].
"other core second-line agents".In general, it A literature review and meta-analysis by
is not utilized for mono- and multi-drug- Sotgiu et al.[12] indicated that the incidence of
resistant TB, but solely for multidrug- adverse events in MDR-TB, when treated with a
resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively linezolid-containing individualized regimen,
drug-resistant TB. was 58.9%, 68.4% of which were serious adverse
2.1 Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis effects of
events. These included anemia (38.1%),
linezolid and its mechanism Linezolid is a synthetic
peripheral neuropathy (47.1%), optic neuritis
antimicrobial drug effective against Gram-positive
(13.2%), and thrombocytopenia (11.8%). The
mycobacteria. It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by
incidence of adverse events noticeably
binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, increased with doses exceeding 600 mg per day.
hindering the attachment of mRNA to the ribosome, and A meta-analysis by Zhang et al.[13] on the use of
preventing the formation of the 70S initiation complex [7]. linezolid in drug-resistant tuberculosis
Linezolid acts at the initiation of the
China Medical Journal 2019 Volume 54 No. 7
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treatment showed a peripheral neuropathy seven days of linezolid treatment. Bone marrow biopsy
incidence of 31% and anemia incidence of 25%. showed an adequate number of normal megakaryocytes,
Agyeman and Ofori-Asenso[10] reported that the ringed sideroblasts, and vesicular proerythroblasts in the
primary adverse effects of linezolid were bone marrow. The presence of ringed sideroblasts and
myelosuppression and neuropathy with incidences vesicular proerythroblasts may be secondary to
of 32.93% and 29.92% respectively, and chloramphenicol-like inhibition of erythropoiesis,
myelosuppression exhibited significant dose suggesting that the anemia could be associated with
dependence, with a lower incidence at reduced myelosuppression.
drug doses. Linezolid has also been reported to cause
The three patients highlighted in this erythrocyte aplasia, characterized by a
paper all had extensively drug-resistant decrease in both hemoglobin and reticulocyte
tuberculosis with no history of hematological counts after two weeks of treatment. Bone
disease. They were diagnosed with severe anemia marrow biopsy suggested impaired
(hemoglobin less than 60 g/L) following an erythropoiesis, which returned to normal after
antituberculosis treatment with a linezolid- discontinuing the drug for two weeks[16]. Cases
containing regimen. None of these patients had of anemia due to linezolid have been reported
shown hematological adverse reactions during in pediatric patients as well. In one instance,
antituberculosis treatment before linezolid was a child patient with infective endocarditis
introduced. The dosage of linezolid was 600 mg developed progressive anemia after two weeks of
per day, and the time from linezolid initiation anti-infective treatment with linezolid. After
to the discovery of severe anemia ranged from 4 four weeks, hemoglobin decreased to 65 g/L and
to 12 months. None of the patients showed signs reticulocytes were less than 0.1%. Bone marrow
of bleeding (hemoptysis, hematochezia, examination suggested a significant decrease in
hematuria) or hemolytic manifestations, and the erythropoiesis, accompanied by cytoplasmic
two female patients maintained normal menstrual vacuolation. Hemoglobin levels were restored
flow. After examining the patients' medication after discontinuing linezolid for 19 days [17].
regimen and ruling out the possible The mitochondrial dysfunction associated with
contribution of other drugs to the anemia, long-term high-dose linezolid may contribute to
linezolid was considered the cause and pure red cell aplasia induced by the drug.
subsequently discontinued, while other drugs in Hiraki et al.[18] found a strong correlation
the regimen were continued. The normalization between decreased clearance of linezolid and
of hemoglobin levels upon continued use of decreased hemoglobin, suggesting that increased
other drugs suggests that the other medications plasma levels of linezolid could affect
in the regimen were not the cause of the severe hematopoiesis. This implies that hemoglobin
anemia. levels should be closely monitored to detect
2.3 Mechanisms of Linezolid-induced anemia anemia or thrombocytopenia caused by linezolid.
The causes of linezolid-induced anemia could be In patients with renal insufficiency, increased
multifactorial. In scientific literature, linezolid has been blood concentrations of linezolid can cause
reported to induce ringed sideroblastic anemia, which severe thrombocytopenia and anemia[19].
improves upon drug discontinuation [14]. Sideroblastic Youssef et al.[20] observed no anemia during
anemia is a group of iron utilization disorders linezolid treatment when combined with a daily
characterized by a high count of ringed dose of 50 mg of vitamin B6, while the
sideroblasts in the bone marrow, microcytic incidence of anemia in the control group was
hypochromic anemia in the peripheral blood, and 5%. It is presumed that daily administration of
normal or slightly increased reticulocytes. In vitamin B6 reduces the incidence of anemia but
this paper, the reticulocyte count in Case 1 was does not prevent linezolid-induced
significantly increased, indicating heightened bone marrow thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Deng et al. [21]
activity in response to anemia. Cases 2 and 3 exhibited found that the combined use of linezolid and
microcytic anemia, but the patients did not undergo bone vitamin B6 in patients with septic infections
marrow aspiration during their hospital stays to procure prevented the cytopenia caused by linezolid.
more detailed information. Bernstein et al.[15] reported 2.4 Dosage and regimen of linezolid for
thrombocytopenia and anemia in an elderly patient after antituberculosisThe dosage and regimen of linezolid used
730: -Works- China Medical Journal 2019 Volume 54 No.
7
for treating tuberculosis are yet to be universally measures. Close monitoring of adverse
standardized. Previous clinical studies have employed a reactions, particularly hematological and
variety of regimens, including daily dosages of 1200 mg [22- neurological, is essential during treatment. If
23]
, 600 mg[24-25], and 300 mg[26-27]. The difference in hematological adverse reactions occur, the
efficacy between daily doses above or below 600 mg was decision to continue observation or discontinue
not found to be significant. However, due to adverse the drug can be made based on the severity of
effects, some patients required temporary or even the reaction. In addition, routine blood tests
permanent discontinuation of the drug. The and blood smears can be monitored, and
effectiveness of lower doses is still a matter reticulocyte count can be checked if anemia
of debate, as they could potentially lead to occurs. Myeloproliferative status can be
drug resistance and not necessarily decrease assessed by bone marrow aspiration if
the incidence of peripheral neuropathy. As per necessary. Vitamin B6 may be effective in
the China Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Treatment reducing hematological adverse effects and
Guidelines (2015), it is recommended that the dosage of could therefore be considered.
linezolid for adults be 300-600 mg/day, with a limit of 600 Ref ere n c e s :
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Excitability of central sensory nervous system in major depressive disorder


HUANG Zhao-yang, ZHAN Shu-qin, LI Ning, DING Yan, HOU Yue, WANG Yu-ping * (Department of Neurology,Xuanwu Hospital, Capital
Medical University, Beijing 100053, China)
*
Corresponding authors,Email:mdwangyp@sina.cn
Abstract: Objective Paired-pulse stimulation techniques are used as common tools to investigate excitability of sensory nervous system. In this
study, we investigated the excitability of the central sensory nervous system in patients with MDD using the method of paired-pulse
somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). Method Fifteen patients with MDD and 15 healthy subjects were enrolled. We applied single stimuli
and paired stimuli at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 20, 60, 100 and 150 ms to stimulate left median nerve. Paired-pulse SEPs and single pulse
SEPs were recorded. Result The recovery function of the N13 component showed significantly reduced suppression in patients with MDD as
compared to healthy controls(F=5.81, P=0.023). The recovery function of the P25 component showed significantly inhibited in patients with
MDD as compared to healthy controls (F= 13.50, P=0.007). The recovery function of the N9 and N20 components showed no significant
differences between these two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion This is the first study investigating changes in excitability of central sensory
nervous system in patients with MDD by examining the recovery function of median nerve SEPs. In the central sensory nervous system of
patients with MDD, the excitability of the posterior central gyrus cortex decreases and the excitability of the posterior horn of the spinal cord
increases. The changes of excitability in the central sensory nervous system in patients with MDD are multilevel, which might contribute to the
pathophysiological mechanisms of the association between MDD and somatic symptoms.
Keywords: Major depressive disorder; Somatic symptoms; Paired-pulse somatosensory evoked potentials; Central sensory nervous system;
Excitability
CLC No.: R749 Document Code: A Article ID: 1008-1070 (2019) 07-0730-05

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1008-1070.2019.07.012

Funding programs: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81301138, 81571294) and the Natural Science Foundation of Capital Medical University (PYZ2018069).
* :: Corresponding to, Email: mdwangyp@sina.cn

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