Hematological and Coagulation Features of COVID-19 Patients in Hodeidah, Yemen
Fuad Ahmed Balkam
Center of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology Studies, Hodeidah University (CTMES – HU) and Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (CTMID), Al-Thawara Public Hospital Authority, Hodeidah, Yemen and Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hodeidah University, Yemen.
Mohammed Amood Al-Kamarany *
Center of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology Studies, Hodeidah University (CTMES – HU) and Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (CTMID), Al-Thawara Public Hospital Authority, Hodeidah, Yemen and Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hodeidah University, Yemen.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The blood parameters are very important markers for the progression of COVID-19 infection and predicator for severity.
Objectives: Therefore, the study aimed to describe the hematological and coagulation features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.
Methodology: The descriptive study (a case series) included 49 patients that were diagnosed clinically and confirmed by the real time – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with COVID-19. The patients were extremely debilitated, the severe and critical cases were treated in the isolation center (inpatient). Hematological parameters and coagulation tests were measured based on standards methods.
Results: The results revealed that 85.7 % of the patients had pretreatment leukocytosis with average count of WBC 15.24 ± 6.18 (×10 9/L). On the other hand, the WBC count, which had reached a peak of 34 (×10 9/L) as maximum value. Also, the reduction of the lymphocytes (lymphopenia) associated with COVID -19 infection was up to 1 % with average (8.75 ± 6.92 %). The neutrophils increased (neutrophilia) to 98 % with average (87.40±8.45%). In addition, the thrombocytopenia was reported in 2/49 cases (4.08 %), and low in hemoglobin (severe anemia) was reported in 5/49 case (10.20 %). The coagulation tests revealed increased in D-dimer levels (p < 0.05) in severe and critical patients. On the other hand, the results showed normal in prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The study concluded that decrease in lymphocytes (lymphopenia), increase in NLR in patients with severe COVID-19 infection and increase in D-dimer are good predicator for progressive and severity illness in COVID-19 infection.
Keywords: COVID-19, hematological, hodeidah, Yemen