Some Haematological Parameters of Tuberculosis (TB) Infected Africans: The Nigerian Perspective

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Nigeria. This study was aimed at providing information on haematological changes in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) infection. One hundred PTB patients aged 15-45 years, attending tuberculosis clinics in Calabar, Nigeria were studied while 70 apparently healthy subjects served as controls.  Standard techniques were used for the assays. Results showed significantly lower values of Packed cell volume(PCV), haemoglobin concentration(Hb), mean cell haemoglobin(MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration(MCHC) (p<0.05) in PTB while mean cell volume(MCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), relative plasma viscosity (RPV), euglobulin lysis time (ELT) and fibrinogen concentration showed significantly higher values in PTB patients than that of control subjects. ESR, RPV and ELT decreased significantly (p<0.05) as anti-tuberculosis therapy progressed. PCV, HB, MCV, MCH, MCHC and ESR of PTB patients co-infected with HIV changed significantly (p<0.05). Anaemia, increased haemorheologic activity and reduced fibrinolysis occur in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis, haematological variables, haemorheology, fibrinolysis