Changes in white blood cell counts before and after polymyxin B immobilized fiber column for the interstitial pneumonia: a case report

Abstract

We examined the association between neutrophil adsorption to the column of polymyxin B-immobilized fiber-direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) and improvement of respiratory condition in a case of exacerbated interstitial pneumonia treated with PMX-DHP. An 81-year-old male was admitted to the ICU for acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia. PMX-DHP was used to improve the respiratory condition with the first performance for 22 hours and the second one for 28 hours. The PaO₂/FiO₂ (P/F) ratio improved from 96.3 to 165 through the first PMX-DHP treatment, however, it dropped down to 98.6 after the second PMX-DHP. The changes in the number of neutrophil counts were as follows: at 1h; -32.5%, 2h; -1.1％, and 6h; 1.8% of the first PMX-DHP: at 1h; -21.4%, 2h; -13.9％, and 6h; 0% of the second PMX-DHP. The P/F ratio was temporarily improved by PMX-DHP, however, no association was found between neutrophil adsorption and improvement of respiratory condition.