Differential Complete Blood Count for Diagnosis of COVID-19?
Nermine A. Melek (1), Mohamed F. Allam (2,3), Bassem G. Labib (1), Abdalla Bazazo (2), Mayada M. Mahmoud (1) and Omneya M. Zeada (1)
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
2. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams
University, Cairo, Egypt
3. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Cairo, Egypt
World Journal of Medical
Microbiology, 2023, 2, 689
DOI: 10.31586/wjmm.2023.689
Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 a
public health emergency of international concern. In this context, effective
and affordable diagnostic procedures are essential for identifying and managing
cases. Complete blood counts (CBC) are among the most common and readily
available diagnostic tests. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of
CBC in diagnosing COVID-19 and identifying cases. Patients and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 173
patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals over a period of three months.
Patients were allocated into two groups according to COVID-19 PCR results:
Group 1 included patients with COVID-19 positive PCR, and Group 2 included
patients with COVID-19 negative PCR. Results: The study found that differential CBC had significant
value in diagnosing COVID-19 disease. Many COVID-19 patients had lymphopenia
and leucopenia compared to non-COVID-19 suspected patients. The low values of
leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils with a CBC test were
found to be valuable in the initial diagnosis of COVID-19. Conclusion: The definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 requires RT-PCR
analysis, which is time-consuming and less accessible. Thus, the initial
diagnosis and treatment of patients may be delayed. This study suggests that
CBC, which is easily available and affordable, can be valuable in the early
identification of COVID-19 cases, allowing for prompt treatment and management.
Keywords: Complete blood count, COVID-19, Diagnosis, Case control
study, Leucopenia, Lymphopenia.
World Journal of Medical
Microbiology, 2023, 2, 689
