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ALLOXURIC EXCRETION IN A CASE OF LEUCOPENIA

R Hutchison1, J J Macleod

  • 1Physiological Laboratory, London Hospital Medical College.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

In Malta fever cases, leucocytes significantly decrease. Despite this leucopenia, urinary alloxur bodies and phosphoric acid levels remained normal, suggesting spleen involvement over bone marrow dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Malta fever (Brucellosis) is characterized by fluctuating fever and potential hematological changes.
  • Leucopenia, a reduction in white blood cells, can occur in various infections, including Brucellosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hematological profile in a case of Malta fever.
  • To analyze urinary excretion of alloxur bodies and phosphoric acid during leucopenia in Malta fever.
  • To explore the potential mechanisms underlying leucopenia in this context.

Main Methods:

  • Case study of a patient diagnosed with Malta fever.
  • Leucocyte count determination.
  • Analysis of urinary alloxur bodies and phosphoric acid levels on a controlled diet.

Main Results:

  • Leucocyte count was significantly reduced, ranging from 1500 to 3000 per cubic millimetre.
  • Urinary alloxur bodies and phosphoric acid levels showed no significant decrease from normal values, despite an alloxur-free diet.
  • The observed leucopenia did not correlate with expected changes in urinary metabolites.

Conclusions:

  • The persistent normal levels of urinary alloxur bodies and phosphoric acid suggest that leucopenia in this Malta fever case may not stem from reduced bone marrow activity.
  • An increased destruction of leucocytes within the spleen is proposed as a more likely cause for the observed leucopenia.
  • This finding highlights the complex pathophysiology of hematological alterations in Brucellosis.

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