Agranulocytosis, plasmacytosis, and thrombocytosis followed by a leukemoid reaction due to acute acetaminophen toxicity.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient who developed hepatotoxicity, reactive plasmacytosis with thrombocytosis and life-threatening agranulocytosis, followed by a leukemoid reaction, apparently caused by acute acetaminophen toxicity. SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. CASE SUMMARY: A 19-year old white women who took an overdose of acetaminophen developed hepatotoxicity and reactive plasmacytosis with thrombocytosis and life-threatening agranulocytosis, followed by a leukemoid reaction. Symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings regressed with symptomatic therapy during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that acute acetaminophen toxicity was responsible for these hematologic abnormalities. This profile of hematologic adverse effects associated with acetaminophen toxicity has not been reported previously.