Ristocetin A (sulfate)

Ristocetin A is an antibiotic that was used to treat staphylococcal infections.¹ However, side effects of ristocetin A included thrombocytopenia and platelet agglutination. Ristocetin A is now used in two assays related to these actions, the ristocetin cofactor assay and the ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation assay. Both assays are used in the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease and other bleeding disorders.^2,1

1. Hawks, G.H. Antibiotic therapy of staphylococcal infection Can. Med. Assoc. J. 93(16),848-853(1965).
2. Castaman, G., Hillarp, A., and Goodeve, A. Laboratory aspects of von Willebrand disease: Test repertoire and options for activity assays and genetic analysis Haemophilia 20(suppl 4),65-70(2014).