The white cell count in typhoid fever

Leucopenia with neutropenia and a relative lymphocytosis are believed to be common findings in patients with typhoid fever. This paper reviews 191 adult patients with typhoid. The total and differential leucocyte counts done on admission were analysed. In this study leucopenia was found in only 24.6% of patients. Whilst complications occurred at any white cell count, the prevalence of complications increased significantly to 70% in patients with a white cell count above 8 x 10(9)/l. Neutropenia was found in 25% of patients, and none of the patients had an absolute lymphocytosis, whereas 75.8% of patients had true lymphopenia.