title: Leucocyte count, platelet count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: We have evaluated the haematological values of 50 adult patients with untreated pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and compared them with those of 50 normal age and sex-matched controls. Anaemia (usually mild) and an invariably (but moderately) elevated ESR were observed as expected. Thrombocytopaenia and thrombocytosis were observed in equal number of patients (18% respectively). We observed significant lymphopaenia (rather than lymphocytosis) in these untreated PTB patients, occurring in 46% (p < 0.0001). Lymphocytosis was observed in only 6% of the PTB patients. Another interesting observation was neutrophilic leucocytosis, which occurred in 40% of the patients. We would suggest that in evaluating results of haematological values in suspected cases of PTB, lymphopaenia rather than lymphocytosis, should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Akintunde
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Shokunbi
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Adekunle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000382:microbiology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000382:microbiology; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood*