Monthly Archives: April 2012

The diagnosis was meningococcal septicaemia. In the top image it is clear that the organisms are diplococci. A punch biopsy of the skin showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis, microthrombi and Gram-negative cocci. There was dermal haemorrhage. Blood cultures and antigen tests for meningococcus were negative but PCR was positive for meningococcus group C.

To see more images of neutrophils containing meningococci, including a Gram stain, see a case published by Professor Bain and Dr James Uprichard, Consultant Haematologist, St George’s Hospital, London: Uprichard J and Bain BJ (2008) A young woman with sudden onset of a severe coagulation abnormality. Am J Hematol, 83, 672.

The blood film can be very important in… Read more »

This week’s blog editor recently played a huge part at the 2012 CellaVision Users’ Meeting when sharing her impressive knowledge in blood cell morphology with her peers. In this case report, Professor Barbara J Bain of Imperial College, UK introduces you to a sick young woman.

Here are the patient details:

A 27-year-old woman presented to an accident and emergency department with fever and feeling unwell. She developed a ‘rash’ and later that day was noted to be bleeding from cannulae sites. FBC showed WBC 4.3 x 10⁹/l, Hb 161 g/l, MCV 88 fl and platelet count 35 x 10⁹/l. She was given a platelet transfusion and intravenous fluids. A later… Read more »