Platelet Levels in Infectious Mononucleosis.

CUTE THROMBOCYTOPENIA is a rare but fairly well-documented complication of infectious mononucleosis.1’8 There is, however, little information on platelets in uncomplicated cases. In most accounts of the disease, platelet levels are either ignored or stated to be normal, and actual counts have been found in only two reports.2’3 Limarzi et al.2 investigated 25 cases and found that platelet levels were normal or occasionally increased: low levels were not encountered. Unfortunately, the method of counting was not described, the phase of the disease was not mentioned, and the Paul-Bunnell test was omitted or negative in 12 of the patients concerned. Serial estimations in 7 cases were reported by Angle and Alt.3 Using an indirect counting method, these authcrs found low levels in the early stages, returning to normal by the end of the third week; slightly elevated levels were occasionally seen in the second week. In the course of recent work on infectious mononucleosis, platelet levels have been estimated in a large random group of patients.