Routine full blood counts as indicators of acute viral infections

Abstract

Over a period of 3 wk about 9000 full blood counts were analysed on the Technicon H6000 automated hematology machine. From these, 62 patients were identified who had abnormally high numbers of large unstained white cells; these patients were followed up for evidence of viral infection. Seventeen were either lost to follow up or in chronic renal failure; of the remaining 45 patients, 40 had viral infections, 26 of which were due to Epstein-Barr virus. In the presence of a raised number of large unstained white cells, an IgM test for Epstein-Barr virus is recommended, followed by routine serology when necessary.