Cytoplasmic vacuolation of peripheral blood cells in acute alcoholism

Abstract

Cytoplasmic vacuolation of peripheral blood leucocytes is reported in three patients with acute alcoholism. Apparently this is the first report of vacuolation of peripheral blood leucocytes associated with acute alcoholism. Apart from any direct cytotoxic effect of alcohol the metabolic acidosis and hypoglycaemia associated with acute alcoholic poisoning may be important factors in the pathogenesis of the morphological changes.