Pseudohyperkalaemia and infectious mononucleosis

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Infectious mononucleosis is a common viral illness.
• Pseudohyperkalemia can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Observation:

• A case of pseudohyperkalemia was observed in a patient diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis.
• The pseudohyperkalemia was noted to be associated with the in vitro clotting process of blood samples.

Findings:

• In vitro release of potassium from blood cells was identified as the cause of pseudohyperkalemia.
• The study suggests that all blood cell types may have contributed to the potassium release during clotting.

Implications:

• This finding highlights the importance of considering pseudohyperkalemia in patients with infectious mononucleosis, especially when clotting is observed.
• Proper sample handling and awareness of potential cellular mechanisms are crucial for accurate potassium level assessment.
• Further research may elucidate the specific cellular pathways involved in infectious mononucleosis-associated pseudohyperkalemia.