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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Automatic Fecal Analyzer versus Direct Wet Smear Microscopy for Detecting Parasitic Infections in Stool Samples
Published on: April 25, 2025
Can findings on peripheral blood smear differentiate leptospirosis from other infections? A preliminary comparative
Nipun Lakshitha de Silva1, Sriharan Sivayoganathan2, Ahalya Sivashangar3
1Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
Background:
Blood smear changes have never been investigated as a potential tool to aid in the diagnosis of leptospirosis.
Methods:
Blood smears prepared from patients with leptospirosis, dengue and sepsis within the first 5 days of illness were reported by haematologists blinded to the diagnosis.
Results:
A total of 20, 28 and 22 patients with leptospirosis, dengue and sepsis, respectively, were analysed. Neutrophil leucocytosis, toxic changes in neutrophils, left shift, reactive lymphocytes, target cells and thrombocytopaenia were seen in 60%, 70%, 40%, 70%, 50% and 65% of the leptospirosis patients, respectively. The combination of reactive lymphocytes with toxic neutrophils or neutrophil leucocytosis was highly suggestive of leptospirosis.
Conclusions:
Peripheral blood smear findings may be helpful in differentiating leptospirosis from other common acute febrile illnesses.
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