Pneumonic Plague - Laboratory Testing

• Consistent with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
• Leukocyte count - elevated.
• Differential - neutrophil predominance, including immature forms.
• Platelets - may be normal or low.
• WBCs 15,000-25,000/µl, left shift.
• AST, ALT, and bilirubin elevated.
• Coagulation abnormalities
• Fibrin split products.
• DIC possible.
• Increased fibrin degradation products.
• Hypofibrinogenemia.
• Prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT).