The blood picture in the early stages of pertussis

Abstract

Although the number of cases observed at the beginning of pertussis is small, some conclusions can be made: 1.In the majority of cases no marked increase is observed in the total number of white blood cells or in the percentage of lymphocytes during the catarrhal stage of pertussis. These changes were observed only in the youngest child of this series (age of 3 months). 2.An abrupt increase in the total number of white blood cells, with an increase in the percentage and absolute number of lymphocytes, occurs in a number of cases with the beginning of the spasmodic cough. The increase in the total number of lymphocytes is more striking than the increase in the percentage of these cells. 3.The number of lymphocytes in 1 cu. mm. remains high during febrile bronchitis complicating pertussis. 4.While a high lymphocyte count is characteristic for pertussis and should be considered a diagnostic sign, when present, some cases may reach the paroxysmal stage without any leucocytosis, or a relative or absolute lymphocytosis. 5.Although the percentage of neutrophils in pertussis diminishes with the appearance of lymphocytosis, the absolute number of these cells does not drop, and may show an increase. 6.Absolute figures for various blood cells, together with the percentage of these cells, give a more valuable hematologic picture than the percentage figures alone. Although the number of cases observed at the beginning of pertussis is small, some conclusions can be made: 1.In the majority of cases no marked increase is observed in the total number of white blood cells or in the percentage of lymphocytes during the catarrhal stage of pertussis. These changes were observed only in the youngest child of this series (age of 3 months). 2.An abrupt increase in the total number of white blood cells, with an increase in the percentage and absolute number of lymphocytes, occurs in a number of cases with the beginning of the spasmodic cough. The increase in the total number of lymphocytes is more striking than the increase in the percentage of these cells. 3.The number of lymphocytes in 1 cu. mm. remains high during febrile bronchitis complicating pertussis. 4.While a high lymphocyte count is characteristic for pertussis and should be considered a diagnostic sign, when present, some cases may reach the paroxysmal stage without any leucocytosis, or a relative or absolute lymphocytosis. 5.Although the percentage of neutrophils in pertussis diminishes with the appearance of lymphocytosis, the absolute number of these cells does not drop, and may show an increase. 6.Absolute figures for various blood cells, together with the percentage of these cells, give a more valuable hematologic picture than the percentage figures alone.