Cytopenias and clonal expansion of gamma/delta T-cells in a patient with anaplasmosis: a potential diagnostic pitfall

J Clin Exp Hematop. 2017;56(3):160-164. doi: 10.3960/jslrt.56.160.

Abstract

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is a rare, tick-borne infectious disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Herein, we report a rare case of human granulocytic anaplasmosis associated with cytopenias and clonal expansion of gamma/delta T-cells in the bone marrow. A 77-year old man presented multiple times to the emergency department complaining of muscle weakness. Complete blood count detected cytopenias and peripheral blood smear showed pseudo Pelger-Huet neutrophils. These findings prompted bone marrow evaluation with ancillary studies including flow cytometry, karyotyping and T-cell rearrangement studies. Careful examination of peripheral blood smear revealed very rare neutrophils with intracytoplasmic inclusions, suggestive of ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. Bone marrow evaluation showed dyserythropoiesis, dysmegakaryopoiesis and prominence of hemophagocytic histiocytes. Furthermore, an increased number of T-cells was seen in the bone marrow and flow cytometry showed excess of gamma/delta T-cells, while T-cell rearrangement studies detected a T-cell clone. Serologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of anaplasmosis. This case nicely illustrates hematologic sequelae of infection with Anaplasma and potential diagnostic pitfalls, such as myelodysplastic syndrome and T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of clonal expansion of gamma/delta T-cells associated with anaplasmosis. Pathologists should be careful and vigilant when screening peripheral blood smears, as they are often the first to raise the suspicion of anaplasmosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anaplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Clone Cells / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancytopenia*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / analysis*
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta