A 32 year old woman presents to her doctor complaining of weakness. She states that she has been feeling down for several weeks now. On further questioning she mentions having fatigue and breathlessness on exertion. She also mentions having developed a new rash.
Physical examination reveals mild tachycardia, pale conjunctiva, petechiae on the mucus membranes and lower extremities and an absence of hepatomegaly or splenomegaly.
Initial investigations show:
Hematocrit 21%
WBC count 1200/cmm
Platelets 12000/cmm.
Q 1. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer; Aplastic anemia.
Q 2. How will you establish a diagnosis of aplastic anemia?
Answer: Pancytopenia (anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) along with findings of an aplastic marrow on bone marrow biopsy will establish the diagnosis of aplastic anemia.
Q 3. List some of the cause of aplastic anemia?
Answer: Aplastic anemia has a number of causes although in some cases the cause cause cannot be determined. Some of the causes are:
- Ionizing radiations
- Chemotherapeutic drugs
- Immunosuppresive drugs
- Chloramphenicol.
- Gold therapy
- In some hepatitis patients.
- A prodrome of hairy cell leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Parvovirus infection is the cause of transient aplastic crisis that occurs in patients with hemolytic disorders.
I was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the
ReplyDeleteliver already present. I started on antiviral medications which
reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus
became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from
ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC (www.ultimatelifeclinic.com) in March, 2020. Their
treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after
the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing
treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers.