Extreme thrombocytosis with severe anemia and infection in a Sudanese patient: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Secondary thrombocytosis, also known as reactive thrombocytosis, is defined as an abnormal increase in platelet count as a result of another underlying medical or surgical condition. Once the medical cause of reactive thrombocytosis was determined, it could be treated. In this case, supportive treatment with no iron supplements for anemia and infection improved the case condition rapidly. CASE PRESENTATION: we report a 20 years old Sudanese female who presented with high-grade fever, right iliac fossa pain, hyper pigmented macules on the tongue and a past history of undiagnosed anemia. Laboratory results showed platelets = 1007 × 10^3/μl, hemoglobin = 3.5 g/dl with low MCV, total WBC was also high = 14.9 × 10^3/μl. Peripheral blood picture showed anisocytosis and poikilocytosis, microcytic hypochromic RBCs associated with target cells, pencil cells, teardrops cells and polychromies cells and with leukocytosis and very high platelets in the film. Abdominal ultrasound showed evidence of pelvic inflammatory disease. After receiving supportive treatment, antibiotics and 3 units of blood the patient showed remarkable improvement and reduction in platelet count. DISCUSSION: We discuss the mechanism of the reactive thrombocytosis state and the variable treatment options when accompanied with iron deficiency anemia. CONCLUSION: Reactive thrombocytosis with extreme platelet count should always be considered in patients presented with severe iron deficiency anemia and infection. In this case report the high platelet count was reversed successfully after commencing antibiotics and blood transfusion although of the poor patient compliance and the poor investigations were obtained from the patient.