Results of laboratory investigations performed when the patient was admitted showed thrombocytopenia (50,000 cells/[mm.sup.3]), leucocytosis (22,500 cells/[mm.sup.3]) associated with a high neutrophil count (20,300 cells/[mm.sup.3]), moderate
hepatonephritis (alanine aminotransferase 17 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 31 IU/L, gamma-glutanyl transferase 44 IU/L; alkaline phosphatase 44 IU/L; creatinine 192 Limol/L and urea 9.3 mmol/L); and an elevated C-reactive protein concentration (>192 mg/L).