INFLUENCE OF Β-LACTAM ANTIBIOTICS ON THE COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT: IMPORTANCE OF LABORATORY ANALYSIS AND MONITORING IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Abstract

Beta-lactams are antimicrobial agents that interrupt the formation of the bacterial cell wall as a result of covalent binding to essential proteins. These drugs comprise a broad class, including Carbapenems, Penicillins, Monobactams, and Cephalosporins. When used for more than one week, these classes of beta-lactams may cause hematological alterations in some patients, such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the laboratory impacts of beta-lactams on hematopoietic cells through published case studies involving patients who used these antimicrobial agents for more than 10 days, as well as to highlight the need to monitor patients who will use these medications for a prolonged period. Since the cases addressed showed that monitoring these patients ensures greater safety during the use of these drugs, given that such alterations occur silently and, if not detected in a timely manner, may lead to fatal complications.