Will vacuolated neutrophils suggest any problem other than sepsis?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I appreciate your knowledge. You are right, vacuolated neutrophils suggest towards infective etiology is more likely. But let me know in such a case usually neutrophilia is also seen. So vacuolated neutrophils interpretation should be done in accordance with total WBC (white blood corpuscles) and total neutrophils count.

Your clinical correlation and physical examination are also necessary. Vacuolations in neutrophils suggest the phagocytic function of it in infection e.g. pneumonia, fungal infection, septicemia, typhoid, etc. Sometime in inflammation also such cells are seen.

As you have rapid weight loss cause for that should be searched. Some of the causes are HIV, acute infection, COPD, gastrointestinal problems like celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, tuberculosis, etc. So the clinical correlation is necessary to do further work up. Provide your other reports if it has been done along with a full CBC (complete blood count) report.

I hope this helps.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

So because of pneumonia infection weight loss is present. Neutrophilia and vacuolation in neutrophils are seen because of that. After one week, your total WBC count increases and your CRP is also high. In some patients, radiological and hematological recovery might take some time. But CRP remains elevated here. Hence, further workup needs to be done like sputum examination and sputum culture.

According to the culture report, further medication will be prescribed. If not improving, then suitable injectable medication and fluid resuscitation are given accordingly. During infections because of the release of some inflammatory mediator release appetite is also suppressed. Hence, weight loss occurs.

I hope this helps.