A patient has a high fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes.A blood smear shows WBCs with large basophilic, spherical cellular inclusions.What could be The cause?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease caused by various species of Ehrlichia bacteria. The characteristic large basophilic inclusions can be seen in infected white blood cells. Toxic drugs can cause liver damage and elevated liver enzymes, but would not typically cause the other symptoms described. Severe burns could cause leukopenia and elevated liver enzymes, but thrombocytopenia and basophilic inclusions would not be expected. Malaria infection can cause fever and thrombocytopenia, but typically does not cause leukopenia and basophilic inclusions.

A Patient Has a High Fever, Leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia, and Elevated