Journal List > Lab Med Online > v.9(1) > 1120076

Kim: Promyelocytic Leukemoid Reaction: Unusual Findings in a Patient with Sepsis

Abstract

Neutrophilic leukemoid reaction may occur in many situations, including hemolysis, malignancy, infection, and exposure to certain toxins. It usually shows morphological overlap with chronic myeloid leukemia in which promyelocytes are not majorly associated. Here, we present a case of promyelocytic leukemoid reaction in a patient with sepsis. A 28-year-old man was admitted for renal stone removal. After percutaneous nephrolithotomy, his condition deteriorated with fever (37.8°C), tachycardia (130/min), acute renal failure, pleural effusion, and pulmonary edema. Complete blood count indicated a white blood cell count of 73.39×109/L including 82% promyelocytes, hemoglobin 8.9 g/dL, and platelet count of 85×109/L. A bone marrow aspirate showed that promyelocytes accounted for 73.8% of all nucleated cells. Following bone marrow examination, treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was started immediately. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) study revealed the absence of PML-RARA (promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor alpha) and other RARA (retinoic acid receptor alpha) rearrangements. Once the chromosome analysis of bone marrow cells demonstrated the normal karyotype, ATRA was discontinued.

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Fig. 1.
Bone marrow aspirate smear showing promyelocytes with Auer rods.
lmo-9-26f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Medication and patient progress. Abbreviations: CRO, ceftriaxone; CIP, ciprofloxacin; P/T, piperacillin/ tazobactam; VAN, vancomycin; MEM, meropenem; FLC, fluconazole; ACV, acyclovir; TMP/SMX, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; MPS, methylprednisolone; ATRA, all-trans retinoic acid.
lmo-9-26f2.tif
Table 1.
Reported cases of promyelocytic leukemoid reaction in the literature
  Patient 1 [2] Patient 2 [3] Patient 3 [4] Present case
Age/sex 25/F 51/F 19/F 28/M
Peripheral blood        
 White blood cells (×109/L) 2.3 9.6 0.9 73.39
 Hemoglobin (g/dL) 9.7 11.9 2.3 8.9
 Platelets (×109/L) 22 168 60 85
 Promyelocytes (%) 7 0 1 82
Bone marrow        
 Cellularity     Hypercellular Hypercellular
 Promyelocytes (%) 28 50 42 73.8
 Auer rods None None None Present
Coagulopathy associated symptoms DIC Gross hematuria, purpura Petechiae, ecchymosis, gum bleeding DIC
Detected microorganism M Mycobacterium kansasii in urine and bone marrow None None None
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