Levels of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in patients with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Objective To investigate the circulating levels of platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLA) in patients with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP).Methods The circulating levels of platelet-neutrophil aggregates (PNA) and platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMA) were quantified in 30 patients with DEACMP (DEACMP group) and 30 patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning (ACOP group) by using flow cytometry assay,whose results were compared with those of 20 healthy subjects (controls).Results Circulating PNA and PMA levels in DEACMP group and ACOP group at acute stage were significantly higher than those in controls,respectively (P＜0.05),while no significant difference was noted between ACOP group and DEACMP group at acute stage (P＞0.05),indicating that platelets were in activation status and PLA levels raised significantly in patients with DEACMP and ACOP at acute stage.Circulating PNA and PMA levels were significantly higher in DEACMP group at acute stage than those in DEACMP group at stable stage (P＜ 0.05),suggesting that platelet activation were controlled after the illness state were stabilized in patients with DEACMP.Conclusion Platelet is involved in the pathogenesis of DEACMP and the change trend of circulating PLA levels is basically consistent with illness state. Key words: Delayed encephalopathy in acute carbon monoxide poisoning;  Aacute carbon monoxide poisoning;  Platelet-leukocyte aggregates