Blue-green neutrophilic inclusion bodies with concurrent liver failure as a predictor of imminent death

Objectives: Blue-green, birefractory, poorly-defined, cytoplasmic inclusions in some types of leukocytes are an underdiagnosed finding, which composition and clinical significance is not well understood. Inclusions are only found on peripheral blood smear (PBS).

Case presentation: We report the case of a male with a history of chronic disease (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and kidney failure) admitted to the emergency room (ER) with shortness of breath, who was later transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The patient had a torpid disease course and ultimately died of multiorgan failure, including severe liver failure. When his status exacerbated, these inclusions were observed on PBS in conjunction with liver enzyme abnormalities.

Conclusions: This case confirms that blue-green inclusions on PBS in cases of acute severe liver failure with concurrent lactic acidosis should be immediately reported to the medical team, since it is suggestive of critical status and poor prognosis.