PBL Sessions: Hematology Organ System - 2

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Further History:

Escherichia coli is cultured from the sputum. She is given antibiotic therapy and her bronchopneumonia resolves.

The "sugar water" test, or sucrose hemolysis test, is positive. The Ham acid hemolysis test is positive.

Flow cytometry is performed on peripheral blood erythrocytes to determine populations of cells marking for CD59 and CD55.

Figure 4: Flow cytometry, single channel.

Figure 5: Flow cytometry, dual channel.

Tasks

• What do these findings indicate?

• What hypotheses explain these findings?

• Explain your reasoning for the hypotheses you choose.

• Can you explain the pathophysiology of the disease process in this patient?

• What therapy needs to be given?

Stop !! Complete discussions and tasks before moving to the next page.