Can a Spurious Blood Result give a Clue to the Aetiological Diagnosis of Pneumonia? A Case Report

  • P Arjun, MD, DTCD, DNB, MNAMS, FCCP Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Anayara P.O, Trivandrum – 695029, Kerala, INDIA.
  • Abin Varghese Thomas, MBBS, DNB (Respiratory Medicine) Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Trivandrum
  • K A Ameer Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Trivandrum
Keywords: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Hemolytic anemia, Coulter counter

Abstract

Extra pulmonary manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia include hematologic, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, dermatologic, and neurologic complications. We report a case of serologically confirmed M. pneumoniae infection in a patient who presented with breathlessness and in whom the diagnosis was suspected because of evidence of hemolysis and some spurious values in the haemogram which were reported by the coulter counter haemogram machines due to the presence of cold agglutinins in the blood.

Author Biographies

P Arjun, MD, DTCD, DNB, MNAMS, FCCP, Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Anayara P.O, Trivandrum – 695029, Kerala, INDIA.

Senior Consultant & Group Coordinator, Department of Pulmonology

Abin Varghese Thomas, MBBS, DNB (Respiratory Medicine), Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Trivandrum

Senior Registrar, Dept. of Pulmonology

K A Ameer, Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Trivandrum

MBBS MD, DTCD, Senior Consultant, Department of Pulmonology

Published
2016-12-30
How to Cite
Arjun, P., Thomas, A., & Ameer, K. (2016). Can a Spurious Blood Result give a Clue to the Aetiological Diagnosis of Pneumonia? A Case Report. Kerala Medical Journal, 9(4), 177-179. https://doi.org/10.52314/kmj.2016.v9i4.433
Section
Case Series / Case Report