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Review
. 2024 Jan-Mar;65(1):119-123.
doi: 10.47162/RJME.65.1.15.

The influence of sepsis on erythrocytes morphology: case report and literature review

Cristian Mircea Nicolescu  1 , Silviu Daniel Moldovan
Affiliations
Review

The influence of sepsis on erythrocytes morphology: case report and literature review

Cristian Mircea Nicolescu et al. Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2024 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

This paper highlights a clinical case of sepsis caused by soft tissue infection. Peripheral blood smear, plasma value of inflammatory biomarkers and the white blood cells count were performed. Significant morphological changes were revealed through peripheral blood smear test two days after patient admission. Patient developed septic shock after the third day in intensive care unit (ICU). Laboratory results showed major morphological changes (erythrocytes deformity, abnormal neutrophils); these were correlated with elevated plasma value of interleukin-6 and procalcitonin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests. The authors are responsible for the content and writing of the papers.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hypochromia, spherocytes (first day of admission). MGG staining. Immersion objective, ×100
Figure 2
Figure 2
Erythrocytes of different sizes, anisocytosis, anisochromia, poikilocytosis (stomatocytes, ovalocytes, acanthocytes, elliptocytes and crenated RBCs), segmented neutrophil (third day of admission). MGG staining. Immersion objective, ×100.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Erythrocytes of different sizes and non-segmented neutrophils with toxic granules (seen first day of septic shock). Acanthocytes, rouleaux formation – RBCs show clumping or aggregation. MGG staining. Immersion objective, ×100
Figure 4
Figure 4
Erythrocytes of different sizes and shapes: Anisocytosis, anisochromia, burr cells, elliptocytes, stomatocytes (seen first day of septic shock). MGG staining. Immersion objective, ×100
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