Assessment of Some Immune System Related Parameters on Helicobacter pylori Infected Students in a Nigerian Tertiary Educational Institution

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on total white blood cells and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cells of students in a Nigerian tertiary educational institution. A total of 32 test subjects (comprising of 17 females and 15 males) and 30 control subjects (comprising of 16 females and 14 males) within the age of 18 – 32. The blood samples of the participants were analyzed for CD4 cells and total white blood cells counts using standard protocols. Results revealed that test and control subjects had mean values of 8.89 ×109/L and 7.13 ×109/L respectively (for females) and 9.12 ×109/L and 7.25 ×109/L respectively (for males) (total white blood cells), and 1369.76 cells/µl and 2169.55 cells/µl respectively for females and 1424.47 cells/µl and 2069.15 cells/µl respectively for males (CD4 counts). Significant variations (p<0.001) exist between test and control subjects for each of the immune system parameters under study. The significant increase in total white blood cells among the test subjects is a result of an immune response to an active infection and subsequent neutrophilia elicited by inflammation which is a major consequence of Helicobacter pylori infection. The decline in CD4 (though within normal range) may suggest that Helicobacter pylori infection may affect the immune system. However, caution should be exercised in the management of the infection especially among individual with other health challenges to avoid adverse health effects.