Hyperleukocytosis with pertussis.
A 9-month-old nonimmunized white female patient presented with a paroxysmal cough and a white blood cell count of 114,000/mm3. A nasopharyngeal culture was positive for Bordetella pertussis. Hyperleukocytosis is a rare complication of pertussis and is attributed to lymphocytosis-promoting factor. Hyperleukocytosis with pulmonary leukostasis can result in significant hypoxemia, although it did not occur in the case presented.
McCarthy
V P
VP
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville 37920-6999, USA.
Carlile
J R
JR
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy