Increased leukocyte aggregation induced by gamma-globulin: a clue to the presence of pseudoleukopenia.
BACKGROUND
Previous articles have reported the appearance of leukopenia after the administration of high-dose intravenous gamma-globulins.


METHODS
A simple slide test was used to reveal the state of leukocyte aggregation (LA) in the peripheral blood as well as the absolute number of leukocytes in the slides.


RESULTS
A significant (P < 0.00001) increment was noted in the state of LA, from 9 +/- 6% before to 25 +/- 11% after gamma-globulin administration. This was accompanied by a significant (P < 0.0004) reduction in the number of white blood cells in the peripheral blood (from 8433 +/- 3905 to 6550 +/- 3252 cells/mm3) but no significant change in the absolute number of the cells as determined by the leukocyte count per high power field in the peripheral slides.


CONCLUSIONS
We raise the possibility that the leukopenia reported in some patients after the intravenous administration of high dose gamma-globulin is explained in part by the agglutination effect of the drug.
Zelster
D
D
Department of Internal Medicine D, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Fusman
R
R
Chapman
J
J
Rotstein
R
R
Shapira
I
I
Elkayam
O
O
Eldor
A
A
Arber
N
N
Berliner
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D005719:gamma-Globulins; D005340:Fibrinogen