Hematological Alterations Induced by Visceral Leishmaniasis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among infected Sudanese patients in Al–Gedaref state. Methods and Results: A case-control study was conducted among patients with VL attending Al–Gaderif Teaching Hospital. A total of 80 subjects were included in the study: 40 patients with VL (the main group [MG]) and 40 apparently healthy individuals (the control group [CG]). The complete blood count (CBC) was determined using the Sysmex KX-21 N hematological analyzer. The platelet-poor plasma was used to determine prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The age group of 12-21 years was the most frequent (40%) among VL patients. Male patients were significantly more frequent (72.5%) than females (P-value=0.02). In MG, the Hb level was 8.71±1.73g/dL, compared to 14.25±4.11g/dL in CG, which reflected the severity of the disease. WBCs and neutrophils decreased significantly, compared to CG, but lymphocytes increased significantly. Thrombocytopenia was observed among pediatric patients, indicating bleeding tendency as one of the VL complications. The platelet and coagulation profile of patients was also altered. PT and aPTT were prolonged significantly, compared to CG.

Keywords

• visceral leishmaniasis
• anemia
• leukopenia
• thrombocytopenia
• coagulopathy