In Salmonella infections in pigs, which hematologic change is typical?

• A. Leukocytosis
• B. Leukopenia
• C. Anemia
• D. Thrombocytopenia

Answer: (B)

Leukopenia is the typical hematologic change because systemic Salmonella infection in pigs often causes septicemia with endotoxemia. Endotoxins trigger widespread inflammatory signals and can lead to the consumption and sequestration of white blood cells in tissues, sometimes along with bone marrow suppression. The net result is a lower circulating white blood cell count rather than the rise you’d expect with a localized bacterial infection. Anemia or thrombocytopenia may occur in severe illness, but leukopenia best reflects the common hematologic pattern seen with septicemic salmonellosis in pigs.