Evaluation of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Mean Platelet Volume in Inactive Hepatitis B Carriers

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in children with inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers and to evaluate the possible association between NLR, MPV and inflammation status in HBV infection. Material and Method: Thirty inactive HBV carrier children and 32 age and gender matched healthy controls were enrolled as study group. Complete blood count parameters including white blood count, absolute neutrophil count and lymphocyte count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume were assessed in both study and the control groups. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean age of inactive HBV carriers (11.9±3.4 years) and the control subjects (11.0±2.7 years) (p=0.25).  No significant differences were found in NLR (2.90±3.24 and 1.74±0.87, respectively, p=0.82) and MPV levels (7.9±1.0fL and 8.0±1.2fL, respectively, p=0.86) between inactive HBV carriers and the controls. MPV was found to be inversely correlated with platelet count in both patients and the control groups (r=-0.44, p=0.01; r=-0.36, p=0.04, respectively). A positive correlation was found between NLR and MPV (r=0.41, p=0.03) in patient group. Conclusion: NLR and MPV levels were not different in inactive HBV carrier children compared to the controls. Our results suggest that NLR and MPV values may not be appropriate for determining of chronicity and inflammation status in chronic HBV infection. Key words: Hepatitis B, chronic, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume