J Pediatr Infect Dis 2021; 16(01): 036-038
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712539
Case Report

Cleft Nucleus Lymphocytosis in Young Infants with Pertussis

Huifang Zhu
1   Institute of Pediatrics Medicine, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
2   Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
,
Hongqun Liao
2   Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
3   Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
,
Xiaoming Zhong
2   Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
3   Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
,
Xingyu Rao
2   Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
3   Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
,
Xin Yang
2   Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
3   Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
,
Kaiyuan Luo
1   Institute of Pediatrics Medicine, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
2   Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
3   Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
4   Pediatric Internal Medicine, Children's Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.

Abstract

This study aims to assess whether the cleft nucleus lymphocytosis could be an early promising clue for the diagnosis of pertussis in young infants. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a severe respiratory disease mainly caused by Bordetella pertussis infection and is characterized by a significant rise in the number of leukocyte and lymphocyte in infants and young children. In this study, the Bordetella pertussis DNA was detected from samples of pharyngeal swab by PCR assay. Levels of serum specific IgM against other respiratory pathogens were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. The routine blood test including numbers of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets etc. were tested by automatic hemocyte analyzer (Sysemx XN1000). Besides, the morphology of leucocytes was observed in peripheral blood smear with microscope by Wright-Giemsa stain. Three cases of pertussis with cleft nucleus lymphocytes in young infants were discussed in in the neonatal/pediatric intensive care unit in our hospital. Leukocytosis characterized by lymphocytes, as well as thrombocytosis were observed in all patients. Our results demonstrated that cleft nucleus lymphocytosis accompanied with leukocytosis and lymphocytes would be potent assistant indicators for the early diagnosis of pertussis in young children.

Authors' Contributions

H.F.Z and K.Y.L conceptualized and drafted the initial manuscript. H.Q.L and X.M.Z. collected the data and reviewed the manuscript. X.Y.R and X.Y. provided patient samples and clinical information, and reviewed the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.


Ethical Approval

This study protocol was approved by the hospital's committee on human research. The patient's parents provided written informed consent.




Publication History

Received: 22 January 2020

Accepted: 30 April 2020

Article published online:
10 June 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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