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.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.