Cefazolin: A Rare Etiology of Induced Coagulopathy
Abstract
(MSSA) infections. Although generally well tolerated, coagulation abnormalities have rarely been reported during therapy. We describe the case of an 81-year-old man treated with prolonged cefazolin for MSSA endocarditis who developed severe coagulopathy characterized by marked elevation of both the international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The abnormalities occurred after initiation of cefazolin and worsened despite cessation of other anticoagulants. Following discontinuation of cefazolin and administration of vitamin K, coagulation parameters rapidly improved and subsequently normalized. This case highlights a rare but clinically significant adverse effect of cefazolin and underscores the importance of close coagulation monitoring during prolonged therapy, particularly in high-risk patient populations.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
Antibiotics Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy
Blood disorders and treatments
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cureus
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e101938–e101938
- Publication date
- 20 January 2026
- Language
- EN