Hematologic manifestations of bacterial and fungal infections

Bacterial and fungal infections have a varied and often profound effect on the cellular elements of the blood and the hemostatic system. These infections may increase or decrease numbers of circulating erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets or may induce qualitative changes in these elements, some of which affect their function. Bacterial and fungal infections may also produce thrombosis or hemorrhage. They exert these effects through mechanisms that involve specific microbial virulence factors or host defenses mobilized against the infectious agents. This article focuses on the diverse hematologic manifestations of bacterial and fungal infections in the context of these mechanistic considerations.