Case Report

Acute Retroviral Disease Masquerading as Bacterial Sepsis: The “Bands” Play On

Authors: MARK FLEMMER MD, EDWARD C. OLDFIELD III MD, B HASAN MELEK MD

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We describe a case of acute human immunodeficiency virus infection that initially appeared to be bacterial sepsis. A marked increase in band forms was seen in the peripheral blood of our patient, with no increase in atypical lymphocytes. Having reviewed the most recent literature, we find this to be common, particularly in the first few days of acute retroviral illness. We suggest that the absence of atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood can be misleading in some cases and may militate against the primary diagnosis of acute retroviral disease.

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References