Differential White Blood Cell Counts Research Articles

Relationship between rotating shift work and white blood cell count, white blood cell differential count, obesity, and metabolic syndrome of nurses

ABSTRACT This study investigated the relationship between working rotating shifts and white blood cell (WBC) count, WBC differential count (DC), obesity, and metabolic syndrome of nurses. Samples were obtained from a total of 720 nurses who had received health checkups at a large teaching hospital in Taiwan. Among these nurses, 500 worked rotating shifts, and the remaining 220 nurses worked fixed daytime shifts. We used binary logistic regression to identify the risk factors of obesity or metabolic syndrome. The results indicate that nurses working rotating shifts had a significantly higher WBC count than those working fixed daytime shifts. WBC count was an independent factor relating to an overly large waist circumference or overly high body mass index (BMI) of nurses. For every 103/μL increase in WBC count, the risk of waist circumference exceeding 90 cm and 80 cm respectively in male and female nurses increased by 46%, and for every 103/μL increase in WBC count, the risk of a BMI 24 kg/m2 in nurses increased by 50%. Similarly, WBC count and work type were independent factors influencing the metabolic syndrome of nurses. For every 103/μL increase in WBC count, the risk of metabolic syndrome occurring in nurses increased by 65%. Nurses working rotating shifts were at a 3.34 times greater risk of having metabolic syndrome than those working fixed daytime shifts. The mean age of our participants was 29.54 years old, and only approximately 4% of the participants had metabolic syndrome. Among these nurses, we found that high WBC was correlated with an overly large waist circumference and overly high BMI. Furthermore, the nurses working rotating shifts may have been at greater risk of metabolic syndrome than those working fixed daytime shifts, and increases in WBC were also associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.

Brain stem death induces pro-inflammatory cytokine production and cardiac dysfunction in sheep model

IntroductionOrgans procured following brain stem death (BSD) are the main source of organ grafts for transplantation. However, BSD is associated with inflammatory responses that may damage the organ and affect both the quantity and quality of organs available for transplant. Therefore, we aimed to investigate plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles and cardiovascular physiology in a clinically relevant 6-h ovine model of BSD. MethodsTwelve healthy female sheep (37–42 Kg) were anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated prior to undergoing BSD induction and then monitored for 6 h. Plasma and BAL endothelin-1 and cytokines (IL-1β, 6, 8 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)) were assessed by ELISA. Differential white blood cell counts were performed. Cardiac function during BSD was also examined using echocardiography, and cardiac biomarkers (A-type natriuretic peptide and troponin I were measured in plasma. ResultsPlasma concentrations big ET-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and BAL IL-8 were significantly (p < 0.01) increased over baseline at 6 h post-BSD. Increased numbers of neutrophils were observed in the whole blood (3.1 × 109 cells/L [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.06–4.14] vs. 6 × 109 cells/L [95%CI 3.92–7.97]; p < 0.01) and BAL (4.5 × 109 cells/L [95%CI 0.41–9.41] vs. 26 [95%CI 12.29–39.80]; p = 0.03) after 6 h of BSD induction vs baseline. A significant increase in ANP production (20.28 pM [95%CI 16.18–24.37] vs. 78.68 pM [95%CI 53.16–104.21]; p < 0.0001) and cTnI release (0.039 ng/mL vs. 4.26 [95%CI 2.69–5.83] ng/mL; p < 0.0001), associated with a significant reduction in heart contractile function, were observed between baseline and 6 h. ConclusionsBSD induced systemic pro-inflammatory responses, characterized by increased neutrophil infiltration and cytokine production in the circulation and BAL fluid, and associated with reduced heart contractile function in ovine model of BSD.

Indexes of innate and adaptive immunity in the patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

The main pathogenetic mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection include imbalance of immune response and impaired cytokine regulation involving insufficient interferon synthesis at the onset of the disease, and subsequent hyperproduction of proinflammatory cytokines resulting in marked inflammation and damage of pulmonary parenchyma. Our objective was to perform monitoring of cytokine content, determination of antibodies, immune cells, and inflammatory biomarkers in the patients who had coronavirus infection caused by COVID-19, during the disease and over the convalescence period. The study included sixty patients at the age of 18 y.o. and older with severe and moderate course of disease caused by COVID-19. The diagnosis was verified in accordance with provisional instructional guidelines of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation “Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)” version 11 (17.05.2021). The study involved analysis of medical documents, evaluation of differential white blood cell count, T cell subpopulations, C-reactive ptrotein (CRP) levels, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon gamma (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), as well as IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.Statistical processing of data was performed by Statistica 13 program with critical significance level p 0.05, correlations were analyzed using Spearman rank correlation coefficient, multidimensional correlation analysis with creation of pleiads, according to V.P. Terentyev’s method (1959), and Shapiro–Wilk testing for normality of data distributions. The sample size made it possible to evaluate the results at a significance of 95-99%. These studies have yielded the results concerning specific changes of the inflammatory biomarkers at different stages of disease, persistent changes in quantitative and qualitative characteristics of immune cells and cytokine levels, correlations between immunological indicators and severity of clinical course, and degree of damage to pulmonary parenchyma. During the period of significant clinical presentations, the patients with severe course of disease exhibited leukopenia with low proportion of lymphocytes, and maintenance of CRP and ESR at high levels for longer terms, including early recovery. Levels and changes in amounts of IgG and IgM antibodies to SАRS-CoV-2 varied in accordance with clinical severity and duration of convalescence period. During the recovery period, an imbalance of regulatory T cell subpopulations and low levels of IFNγ were observed. The stable impairment of structural and functional characteristics of immune cells and aberrant production of cytokines during the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 may serve as a pre-requisite for monitoring immunological indices in search for personalized immunotropic therapy.

Combined effect of bromelain and turmeric against acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in wistar rats

Objective: The present study planned to study the combined effect of Bromelain and Turmeric in acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in Wistar rats. Methodology: Wistar rats of either sex (n = 30) were divided into 5 groups. Group – I, Sham control, administered single dose of vehicle rectally; Group –II, colitis control, colitis was induced by rectal administration of single dose of 2 ml of 3%, v/v of acetic acid in 0.9% saline; Group–III, treated with Turmeric (50 mg/kg/p.o); Group–IV, treated with Bromelain (100 mg/kg/p.o) and Group –V, treated with both Turmeric (50 mg/kg/p.o) and Bromelain (100 mg /kg/p.o). Colitis was induced in all the treatment groups on first day and drug treatment was continued for 7 days. During the treatment period, Disease Activity Index (DAI) was assessed daily and on 8th day White Blood Cell (WBC) Count and Differential Leucocyte Count (DLC) was performed and on 9th day all the rats were sacrificed for the assessment of intestinal inflammation, colon myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels and Histopathology. Results obtained were analysed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: Overall changes in DAI, Inflammatory scores, WBC, DLC and MPO has shown significant improvement with Turmeric and Bromelain compared to Colitis control. However, the combined therapy has shown to be more effective in alleviating ulcerative colitis compared to individual therapies. Conclusion: The present study recommends that the combination of Turmeric and Bromelain has synergistic effect in treating ulcerative colitis.

Biomarkers of genotoxicity, immunotoxicity and oxidative stress on Caiman latirostris (Broad-snouted caiman) hatchlings exposed to pesticide formulations and mixtures widely used in agriculture

Pesticide formulations are currently considered as one of the main factors responsible for environmental contamination worldwide. Consequently, several wild species can be affected by the over use of pesticides related to agriculture activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxicity, immunotoxicity and oxidative stress on Caiman latirostris hatchlings exposed in vivo to sub-lethal concentrations of three insecticide formulations: Endosulfan (END)-, Cypermethrin (CYP)-, and Chlorpyrifos (CPF)- based formulations, two Glyphosate (GLY)- based herbicide formulations and two different ternary complex mixtures of them.C. latirostris hatchlings, 20 days old were exposed in plastics containers with pesticide solutions (by voluntary immersion) during two months, with a progressive decrease in pesticide concentrations through time, in order to simulate their degradation in water under natural conditions.After exposure, blood samples were taken to all animals for the analysis of genotoxicity (Comet assay, Micronucleus and other nuclear abnormalities) immunotoxicity (Total and differential white blood cell counts) and oxidative stress (Lipoperoxidation and the antioxidant enzymes Catalase and Superoxide dismutase).Results indicated that the five formulations tested, as well as the complex mixtures of them, induced genotoxicity, alteration in white blood cell counts and oxidative stress at environmentally relevant concentrations. Mixtures showed different interactions depending of the biomarker analyzed.This study constitutes an integral evaluation of the effect of five pesticide formulations and two possible complex ternary mixtures widely used in soybean crops in Argentina, on different endpoints on a native reptile species, C. latirostris.

Comparison of post-operative C-reactive protein levels between elective general and orthopedic surgery in dogs

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein produced by hepatocytes. The plasma concentration of CRP peaks around 48 hours following stimulation. A rapid decrease in CRP levels is observed when the stimuli end. Considering these characteristics of CRP, it is used to evaluate acute inflammatory responses in clinics. In addition, as it reflects the degree of surgical trauma, measuring the CRP concentration is an effective method of evaluating tissue damage depending upon the surgical method. As CRP is also an acute-phase protein in dogs, the purpose of the present study was to compare the factors related to acute inflammatory responses between dogs undergoing elective general surgery (GS) and orthopedic surgery (OS). A total of 44 healthy dogs were included in this study. The sex ratio of dogs that underwent OS was similar. Both groups showed increased CRP levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts on post-operative day (POD) 1-2. The CRP level in the OS group on POD 1-2 was significantly higher than that of the GS group and it was increased about 16-fold compared to the pre-operative value. No significant difference in WBC counts was observed between the two groups. Although a slight increase in the WBC count was observed on POD 1-2 in both groups, it was near the reference range during follow-up. Thus, measuring CRP levels can be more effective in evaluating acute inflammatory responses than WBC counts. Although a high level of post-operative serum CRP concentrations was observed in the OS group, it rapidly decreased to a level similar to the pre-operative value if there were no post-operative complications.

Exploring the links between personality and immune function

Decades of research finds associations between personality traits and health. In recent years, it has become clear that the activities of the immune system play a key role in linking these variables. In the current work, we add to this research by exploring the relationship between Big Five personality traits and (Study 1) polymorphisms known to impact cytokine release and (Study 2) immunological parameters measured in vivo (differential white blood cell counts, plasma proinflammatory cytokine levels) and in vitro (proinflammatory cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, S. aureus growth in plasma). Results provide insights into potential mechanistic drivers of the links between personality and immune function and the possibility that, in some cases, relationships between personality and immune function may be sex differentiated.

Common Change of Complete Blood Count Parameters in COVID-19: a Literature Review

The rising number of COVID-19 all around the world caused a drastic increase in theoccupancy rate of healthcare facilities, triggering overload in some places. This situationrequires healthcare workers to evaluate patients’ conditions and conduct risk stratificationefficiently, especially in a triage situation. Complete blood count is a widely available,economically affordable, and time-efficient testing method which may be significant in assistingthose processes. This review article analyzes changes in complete blood count parameters inCOVID-19 with the aim to identify the common changes in the parameters in COVID-19 patientsand their relation to the disease progression and severity. COVID-19 patients commonlyexperienced anemia, increased red blood cell distribution width, decreased white blood cellcount, significant changes in white blood cell differential count, and thrombocytopenia. It isunderstood that changes in complete blood count parameters and their extent may providevaluable information about the disease severity and prognosis. In conclusion, COVID-19 patientsshare a common pattern of complete blood count parameters alterations which is related to thedisease progression, severity and prognosis. It is expected that complete blood count examinationmay play a major role in COVID-19 management, given the valuable information provided bythe examination.Keywords: complete blood count; COVID-19; erythrocyte; leukocyte; platelet

Evaluation the Genotoxicity of PHB Nanoparticle by Micronucleus Assay

Determining the toxicity of substances in vivo is one of the most important tests that judge whether ornot they are used in the pharmaceutical field. In the present study, the genetic toxicity of treatment dosesof Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), PHB nanoparticles, Cefotaxime and complex of PHB nanoparticlesandcefotaxime was evaluated. The effect of these substances on the number and percentage of white bloodcells (WBCs) in mice was also tested (in vivo). Micronucleus assay was used to assess genotoxicity ofabove materials in vivo, as well as the technique of WBCs chamber was used to estimate the total numberof WBCs in mice administrated with above substances. The differential count of WBCs was measuredby staining the smears with leishman stain. The present study demonstrated that there were no significantdifferences (P&gt;0.05) in the number of micronucleus cells in the mice injected with treatment doses of PHBnanoparticles, Cefotaxime and complex of PHB nanoparticlesand cefotaximewhen compared with miceinjected with normal saline. Similar finding was obtained in terms of counting of total WBCs and differentialcount in mice injected with treatment doses of PHB, PHB nanoparticles, Cefotaxime and complex of PHBnanoparticlesand cefotaxime when compared with WBCs total count and differential count in mice injectedwith normal saline (P&gt;0.05). It can be concluded that there is no toxic effect of treatment doses of PHB, PHBnanoparticles, Cefotaxime and complex of PHB nanoparticlesand cefotaxime on mice.

Haematological changes in Wistar rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei brucei obtained from North-west Nigeria

This study determined haematological changes in Wistar rats experimentally infected with local strains of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Forty-five Wistar rats between 10 – 12 weeks old weighing between 210 – 240 g were used. The Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D), with the infected groups (B, C and D) having 10 rats each, while the uninfected control group (A) had 15 rats. Group A rats were not infected and served as the control, group B were infected with Trypanosoma congolense, group C were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and group D were co-infected with Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Infection was achieved using 0.1mL of blood containing approximately 1 × 103 trypanosomes intraperitoneally into each Wistar rat in the infected groups. Clinical signs were observed. The changes in the blood cells were assayed in the groups post-infection. Duncan’s Least Square Deviation showed significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher parasitaemia in infected groups. However, group D showed a higher significant (p&lt;0.05) difference in parasitaemia when compared to groups B and C. The pattern of mean parasitaemia for the infected groups, revealed a positive correlation with days of post-infection (p&lt;0.05) before the decline. The packed cell volume, total red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower in infected groups B, C and D. The total white blood cell count, platelet counts and differential leucocyte count were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower in infected groups when compared to the uninfected group. These findings suggest that co-infection with Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei brucei obtained from Wurno and Ngaski in Sokoto and Kebbi States respectively produced a more damaging effect on haematological parameters.

Analysis of the Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Cyclosporine A in Children with Non-severe Aplastic Anemia

To summarize the long-term efficacy of cyclosporine (CsA) in the treatment of non-severe aplastic anemia (NSAA) in children, and explore the early significant indicators. Data of 36 NSAA children in Department of Hematological Oncology, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. All the children received oral CsA immunosuppressive therapy, and CsA trough concentration was checked to maintain at the rage of 200-250 μg/L after 2 weeks. The evaluation time points were at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, and assessment items were peripheral white blood cell differential count and reticulocyte's percentage and count. The 36 NSAA cases were composed of 16 males and 20 females, whose median age was 5.46 (2.92-7.99) years old, and median follow-up time was 28.00 (10.00-38.25) months. After taking oral CsA for 24 months, the number of cumulative effective cases was 21. There were 4 cases of complete remission (CR), 17 cases of partial remission (PR), and 15 cases of non-remission (NR). The total effective rate was 58.33%, and median effect-acting time of CsA was 3.0 (0.5-10.0) months. Compared with ineffective group, neutrophil (NEU) and red blood cell (RBC) of effective group (CR+PR) began to increase significantly at the 3rd month, and hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) increase significantly at the 6th month after oral CsA administration (P<0.05). Except for 2 cases who received component transfusion within 3-12 months after taking oral CsA for 3 months in effective group, the others did not need. The overall effective rate of oral CsA in children with NSAA was 58.33%. Stopping blood transfusion after the 3 months of treatment may be considered as a turning point for disease outcomes, and levels of NEU, RBC at the 3rd month and Hb, PLT, WBC at the 6th month as indicators for predicting disease prognosis.

Single Time Point Reference Intervals for Complete Blood Counts and Select Biochemistries in Juvenile Red-Footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria)

The importance of calcium and phosphorus for the health of reptiles is well known. Proper calcium intake is critical for the prevention of nutritional diseases such as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP); however, the role magnesium may play in this disease is unknown. Magnesium is the second most abundant intracellular cation in the body and has influence on the function of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Chelonians are one of the most common companion reptile groups presenting for NSHP. The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for complete blood counts, total calcium, total magnesium, and phosphorus. Peripheral blood was collected in November in the northern hemisphere on a single day from 40 captive red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria). Hematologic and biochemistry assessment included packed cell volume, a blood smear for white blood cell slide estimate and differential count, and plasma concentrations of total calcium, total magnesium, and phosphorus. There was no correlation between total calcium and total magnesium. This population of red-footed tortoises appeared to be predominantly lymphocytic in the season in which samples were collected, and may have also had an absolute basophilia. This is the first study to determine reference intervals for complete blood counts and select biochemistry parameters of a uniform cohort of red-footed tortoises. These values may aid in clinical management and monitoring of red-footed tortoises presenting for veterinary care.

Presence and transmission of mitochondrial heteroplasmic mutations in human populations of European and African ancestry

We investigated the concordance of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmic mutations (heteroplasmies) in 6745 maternal pairs of European (EA, n = 4718 pairs) and African (AA, n = 2027 pairs) Americans in whole blood. Mother-offspring pairs displayed the highest concordance rate, followed by sibling-sibling and more distantly-related maternal pairs. The allele fractions of concordant heteroplasmies exhibited high correlation (R2 = 0.8) between paired individuals. Discordant heteroplasmies were more likely to be in coding regions, be nonsynonymous or nonsynonymous-deleterious (p < 0.001). The number of deleterious heteroplasmies was significantly correlated with advancing age (20–44, 45–64, and ≥65 years, p-trend = 0.01). One standard deviation increase in heteroplasmic burden (i.e., the number of heteroplasmies carried by an individual) was associated with 0.17 to 0.26 (p < 1e − 23) standard deviation decrease in mtDNA copy number, independent of age. White blood cell count and differential count jointly explained 0.5% to 1.3% (p ≤ 0.001) variance in heteroplasmic burden. A genome-wide association and meta-analysis identified a region at 11p11.12 (top signal rs779031139, p = 2.0e − 18, minor allele frequency = 0.38) associated with the heteroplasmic burden. However, the 11p11.12 region is adjacent to a nuclear mitochondrial DNA (NUMT) corresponding to a 542 bp area of the D-loop. This region was no longer significant after excluding heteroplasmies within the 542 bp from the heteroplasmic burden. The discovery that blood mtDNA heteroplasmies were both inherited and somatic origins and that an increase in heteroplasmic burden was strongly associated with a decrease in average number of mtDNA copy number in blood are important findings to be considered in association studies of mtDNA with disease traits.

Association between monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio and tuberculin skin test positivity in HIV-positive adults.

BackgroundThe tuberculin skin test (TST) identifies individuals at high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) but poses many challenges. The blood monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) could be an alternative, as extremes in MLR have been associated with increased risk of TB disease.MethodsAt a primary care clinic in Johannesburg, a differential white blood cell count and TST was performed in adults starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) without symptoms suggestive of active TB.ResultsOf 259 participants, 171 had valid results of whom 30% (51/171) were TST positive and the median MLR was 0.18 (IQR 0.13–0.28). The MLR distribution differed between CD4 count categories (p < 0.01), with a broader range of values in TST negative participants with a low CD4 count (≤ 250 cells/mm3), likely reflecting HIV immunosuppression. MLR was associated with a positive TST (OR 0.78 per 0.1 increase, 95% CI 0.59, 0.97) in bivariate analysis but not in multivariate regression analysis (aOR 0.83 for every 0.1 increase, 95% CI 0.60, 1.08).ConclusionIn ART-naïve adults without symptoms suggestive of active TB, MLR was not independently associated with TST positivity and is thus unlikely to be a useful alternative to TST. Future research should focus on development of a cheap, simple and accurate biomarker to identify those people benefiting most from preventive TB therapy.

Lippia javanica (Zumbani) herbal tea infusion attenuates allergic airway inflammation via inhibition of Th2 cell activation and suppression of oxidative stress

BackgroundLippia javanica (lemon bush) is commonly used in the treatment of respiratory ailments, including asthma in southern African countries but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-asthmatic effects of L. javanica using a rat model of asthma.MethodsA 5% w/v L. javanica tea infusion was prepared and characterised by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Animals were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and subsequently challenged intranasal with OVA on day 15 except the control group. Animals were grouped (n = 5/group) for treatment: unsensitised control, sensitised control, sensitised + prednisolone and sensitised + L. javanica at 50 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day – equivalent to 1 and 2 cups of tea per day, respectively. After 2 weeks of treatment, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count. Nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were also assessed in BALF. Ovalbumin specific IgE antibody and inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-alpha were measured in serum. Lung and muscle tissues were histological examined.ResultsL. javanica was rich in phenolic compounds. OVA sensitisation resulted in development of allergic asthma in rats. L. javanica treatment resulted in a reduction in total WBC count as well as eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils in BALF. L. javanica inhibited Th2-mediated immune response, which was evident by a decrease in serum IgE and inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-α. L. javanica treatment also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO, and increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. Histology showed significant attenuation of lung infiltration of inflammatory cells, alveolar thickening, and bronchiole smooth muscle thickening.ConclusionL. javanica suppressed allergic airway inflammation by reducing Th2-mediated immune response and oxidative stress in OVA-sensitized rats which may be attributed to the presence of phenolic compound in the plant. This finding validates the traditional use of L. javanica in the treatment of respiratory disorders.

Hematological and Morphological Changes in the Peripheral Blood Smear of Patients with COVID-19

Background: The novel coronavirus is responsible for a widespread pandemic, causing multiple clinical manifestations. Peripheral blood films have shown changes in white blood cell (WBC) morphology and counts, as well as platelet abnormalities. Atypical and reactive lymphocytes may also be observed in the blood film, which suggests mild leukoerythroblastosis. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the hematological and morphological changes in the peripheral blood smear of patients with COVID-19. Methods: This study was conducted on 175 patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 infection. Blood samples were collected from the patients and examined for the estimation of blood parameters, differential cell count, and presence of atypical lymphocytes. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.73 years, and males constituted 52.6% of the patients. The majority had normal hemoglobin levels. WBC count was normal in 60.6% of the patients, while 74.3% had normal platelet count, and thrombocytopenia was detected in 23.4%. In addition, differential WBC count indicated that 56.6% of the patients had normal neutrophils, while lymphopenia was detected in 28 and 77.7% had a low eosinophil count. The peripheral blood smears showed atypical lymphocytes with deeply basophilic cytoplasm in 21.14% of the patients. Conclusions: Blood film examination may show multiple abnormal findings in patients with COVID-19 infection. Neutrophilia and lymphopenia with the presence of atypical lymphocytes are frequently observed as well. Low eosinophil count is also highly common. Although platelets showed changes, they were normal or reduced in most cases.

The Potential Role of Gymnema inodorum Leaf Extract Treatment in Hematological Parameters in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Malaria remains a significant cause of death in tropical and subtropical regions by serious complications with hematological abnormalities consistent with high parasitemia. Hence, this study aimed to determine the efficacy of the Gymnema inodorum leaf extract (GIE) on hematological alteration in Plasmodium berghei infection in mice. Groups of ICR mice were infected intraperitoneally with parasitized red blood cells of P. berghei ANKA (PbANKA). They were administered orally by gavage of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg of GIE for 4 consecutive days. Healthy and untreated groups were given distilled water, while 10 mg/kg of chloroquine was treated as the positive control. Hematological parameters including RBC count, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RBC distribution width (RDW), white blood cell (WBC) count, and WBC differential count were measured. The results showed that significant decreases of RBC count, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and reticulocytes were observed in the untreated group, while RDW was significantly increased compared with the healthy control. Furthermore, the WBC, neutrophil, monocyte, basophil, and eosinophil of untreated mice increased significantly, while the lymphocyte was significantly decreased compared with the healthy control. Interestingly, GIE normalized the hematological alteration induced by PbANKA infection in GIE-treated groups compared with healthy and untreated groups. The highest efficacy of GIE was observed at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Our results confirmed that GIE presented the potential role in the treatment of hematological alteration during malaria infection.

Association Between White Blood Cell Counts and Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Chinese Hypertensive Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Increased arterial stiffness is highly prevalent in patients with hypertension and is associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk. Increased white blood cell (WBC) counts may also be an independent risk factor for arterial stiffness and CV events. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between differential WBC counts and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in hypertensive adults. A total of 14 390 participants were included in the final analysis. A multivariate linear regression model was applied for the correlation analysis of WBC count and baPWV. Higher WBC counts were associated with a greater baPWV: adjusted β = 10 (95% CI, 8-13, P < .001). The same significant association was also found when WBC count was assessed as categories or quartiles. In addition, the effect of differential WBC subtypes, including neutrophil count and lymphocyte count on baPWV, showed the similar results. These findings showed that baPWV has positive associations with differential WBC counts in hypertensive adults.

Hematological Findings in COVID-19 Patients at Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital

INTRODUCTION&#x0D; The outbreak of 2019 novel corona virus has also affected the Nepalese population. Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is the diagnostic laboratory test for confirming the diagnosis. The complete blood count (CBC) is the laboratory test routinely done in patients suffering from any type of infection. This test provides the information to physicians regarding the inflammatory process. The objective of this study was to evaluate and find out whether hematologic parameters are affected in a person suffering from Covid-19 infections.&#x0D; MATERIAL AND METHODS&#x0D; This is a prospective study done from 3rd December 2020 to 3rd February 2021 for a period of two months. All the confirmed patients of corona (COVID-19) with RT-PCR, between days-1 to day-15 of PCR positivity, whose hematological profile was sent to the pathology laboratory department, were studied. The hematologic parameters studied include total white blood cells count (TLC), differential white blood cell count (DLC), hemoglobin and platelet counts.&#x0D; RESULTS&#x0D; Out of one hundred (100) RT-PCR positive patients eighty (80%) were male and twenty (20%) were female. Age group of patients ranged from 27 years to 94 years. Ninety-four (94%) patients reveal leukocytosis and Ninety-six (96%) patients showed increased in differential neutrophil count. Fifty-two (52%) patients reveal anemia and platelets count was normal in seventy-eight (78%) cases.&#x0D; CONCLUSION&#x0D; Covid-19 infection causes changes in the hematological parameters. Study of these parameters provides significant clinical information.

Evaluation of the Immunological Status in Occult Hepatitis B Virus-infected Patients Attending Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

Background: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a rare form of infection that is characterized by the presence of replication-competent HBV DNA in the liver but without detectable HBsAg in the serum.&#x0D; Aim: This study aimed to determine the comparative levels of immunological variables particularly CD4 counts and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in occult hepatitis B and HBsAg positive subjects among prospective blood donors in Port Harcourt Metropolis in Nigeria.&#x0D; Methods: The CD4 count and total and differential WBC counts were analyzed with automated techniques using BD Fascount and Sysmex XP-300 respectively. Data were analyzed as mean (standard deviation) and significance was assumed at 95% confidence interval using student t-test and one-way ANOVA on GraphPad prism.&#x0D; Results: The mean values for CD4, WBC, LYM (lymphocyte), MXD (differential mixed cells), and NEU (neutrophils) were 607±286 µ/l, 16±24 /l, 1.8±0.55 %, 0.46±0.15 % and 3.1±1.1 % respectively for occult hepatitis B subjects; 609±222 µ/l, 5.4±1.7 /l, 2.3±1.2 %, 0.54±0.31 % and 2.7±1.2 % respectively for HbsAg positive subjects and 823±256 µ/l, 10±5.4 /l, 2.4±1.6 %, 0.69±0.49 % and 6.4±4.7 % respectively for hepatitis B negative subjects. CD4 levels for male and female occult hepatitis B subjects are 729±309 µ/l and 461±190 µ/l respectively; 582±210 µ/l and 643±250 µ/l respectively for HBsAg positive subjects while that of hepatitis B negative subjects were 824±305 µ/l and 821±199 µ/l respectively. OBI showed a significant negative association between differential mixed cells and lymphocytes (r= -0.89 and p= 0.001) alone signifying that increment in former could reduce the latter. Only the HBsAg positive subjects showed a significant positive correlation of age to differential mixed cells (r=0.94 and p=0.000) which imply as the age increase the level of differential mixed cells will rise. Again, the HBsAg positive subjects showed a significant positive correlation between the differential mixed cells against neutrophil and WBC (r=0.53 and p=0.050), (r=0.56 and 0.036) respectively. Smoking and alcohol consumption caused raised levels of CD4 cells in OBI.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study revealed a significant decrease in CD4 count, increase in total WBC and neutrophil counts while lymphocyte counts were decreased in occult hepatitis B subjects. Gender difference affect the level of CD4 cells and significant correlation were observed especially with the differential mixed cells.