HEMATOLOGY REPORTS OF ROUTINE BLOOD FILMS IN PATIENTS WITH BURNS

A retrospective pilot study of 99 peripheral blood films from 27 patie nts with burns is reported. Abnormalities of the granular leucocyte se ries were more common in the more extensive burns and usually preceded bacteriological evidence of wound pathogens or a clinical decision to take a blood culture. The evidence suggests that a prospective study is needed to determine the possible clinical value of reporting such g ranulocyte abnormalities. Abnormalities of the myelo-monocytic and lym phocyte cell lines were sufficiently frequent to permit fundamental re search of possible relevance not only to patients with burns but in ot her host responses such as in sepsis, malaria or AIDS.