Haematological Profile and ACE2 Levels of COVID-19 Patients in a Metropolis in Ghana
Ezekiel B. Ackah,
Michael Owusu,
Benedict Sackey,
Justice K. Boamah,
Japhet S. Kamasah,
Albert A. Aduboffour,
Debora Akortia,
Gifty Nkrumah,
Andrews Amaniampong,
Nicholas Klevor,
Lawrence D. Agyemang,
Nana K. Ayisi-Boateng,
Augustina Sylverken,
Richard O. Phillips,
Ellis Owusu-Dabo
Affiliations
Ezekiel B. Ackah
Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Michael Owusu
Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Benedict Sackey
Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Justice K. Boamah
Department of Microbiology, Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo Asante–Akim P.O. Box 27, Ghana
Japhet S. Kamasah
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Gifty Nkrumah
Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Andrews Amaniampong
Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Nana K. Ayisi-Boateng
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Augustina Sylverken
Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Richard O. Phillips
Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Ellis Owusu-Dabo
Department of Global and International Health, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Background: Several studies have linked coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk to age and ABO blood groups. Variations in plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels and blood counts have been reported, suggesting an association between disease severity and low lymphocyte levels. Aim: this study aimed to understand how these factors relate to COVID-19 in Ghanaian patients, considering geographical and demographic differences. Methods: Participants were recruited from six hospitals in Kumasi, Ghana, between June 2020 and July 2021. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken to test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and blood samples were collected for complete blood count testing, ABO/Rhesus typing, and assessment of plasma ACE2 levels. Demographic and COVID-19 severity data were gathered, and IBM SPSS version 25.0 was used for analysis. Results: Overall, 515 patients were enrolled, out of which 55.9% (n = 288/515) were males and 50.3% (n = 259/515) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The median age was 37 years (IQR = 26–53). Age was significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.002). The severe COVID-19 group was the oldest (70 years, IQR = 35–80) and presented with anaemia (haemoglobin, g/dL: 9.55, IQR = 7.85–11.93), leukocytosis (WBC × 103/μL: 15.87, IQR = 6.68–19.80), neutrophilia (NEUT × 106/μL: 14.69, IQR = 5.70–18.96) and lymphocytopenia (LYMPH × 106/μL: 0.47, IQR = 0.22–0.66). No association was found between SARS-CoV-2 positivity and ABO (p = 0.711) or Rh (p = 0.805) blood groups; no association was also found between plasma ACE2 levels and SARS-CoV-2 status (p = 0.079). However, among COVID-19 participants, plasma ACE2 levels were significantly reduced in the moderate illness group (40.68 ng/mL, IQR = 34.09–48.10) compared with the asymptomatic group (50.61 ng/mL, IQR = 43.90–58.61, p = 0.015). Conclusions: While there may be no real association between the ABO blood group, as well as plasma ACE2 levels, and SARS-CoV-2 infection in Ghanaian patients, older individuals are at a higher risk of severe disease. Anaemia, and leukocytosis with lymphocytopenia may be indicators of poor disease progression.
