Pattern of Hematological Indices in Tuberculosis (TB) Patients Attending St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis is a highly prevalent chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli. Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be an important health and socio-economic issue, especially in developing countries. Aim: The study was undertaken to determine the pattern of haemoglobin, red cell count, packed cell volume (PCV) and red cell indices in tuberculosis infected subjects (patients) visiting the TB clinic at St. Charles Borromeo hospital. Materials and Method: This was a case controlled cross-sectional study conducted in Anambra State. Subjects was selected based on their relatively high stability and willingness to participate in the study. The data collection for the haematological investigation was carried out during morning hours (8:00 a.m.-10.00. a.m.). Samples of blood (5 ml) were obtained from each participant using a vacutainer and employing standard infection prevention procedures. The collected aliquots of blood samples were used to determine participants' PCV, haemoglobin concentration and RBC counts from which red cell indices were calculated. Results and Discussion: The study consists of 20 (57.1%) TB positive subjects attending TB clinic at St. Charles Borromeo hospital, Anambra state and 15 (42.9%) control subjects with overall mean age of 31.29±9.64. The mean values were compared between cases and controls using t-test and One-way ANOVA (LSD Post Hoc Test) at 5% level of significance. Significant differences were recorded for RBC counts (TB Positive: 4.22±0.77, Control: 5.46±.84, p=0.000), Hb (TB Positive: 10.80±2.11, Control: 13.27±1.79, p=0.001), and MCHC (TB Positive: 31.51±1.74, Control: 33.36±.845, p=0.000) respectively while no significant differences were recorded for PCV (TB Positive: 34.05±7.15, Control: 38.27±6.70, p=0.085), MCV (TB Positive: 76.07±18.61, Control: 72.24±6.65, p=0.453) and MCH (TB Positive: 25.89±3.21, Control: 24.04± 2.51, p=0.075) respectively. Many haematological abnormalities have been demonstrated in tuberculosis patients in the present study. Conclusion: The TB patients showed significantly lower Hb levels (mild anaemia), RBC count and PCV, while MCHC was the only significantly decreased RBC indices. While many of them are consistent with reported literature and reinforce the fact that they can become valuable tools in monitoring tuberculosis and also serve as indicators in assessment of response to therapy.