Lymphocytosis without anemia in a patient presenting with anaphylactic shock

We retrospectively investigated whether anaphylactic shock tends to be associated with lymphocytosis or not. We reviewed the medical charts of patients who had shock between January 1999 and September 2004. The subjects were divided into 4 groups, consisting of anaphylactic, hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, and septic groups. The results of laboratory examinations were analyzed. Regarding cellular differences, the lymphocyte–total leukocyte ratio in the anaphylactic group was significantly greater than that in the other groups. The average number of lymphocytes in the anaphylactic group was also significantly greater than that in both the hemorrhagic and septic groups. In addition, the average value of hemoglobin in the anaphylactic group was significantly greater than that in the other groups. The identification of lymphocytosis without anemia may therefore enable clinicians to accurately differentiate various states of shock in patients presenting with shock at the ED.