White Blood Cell Parameters in Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19

Aim: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a major health concern in recent times, causing a large number of deaths globally. It primarily effects the respiratory and immune system. The present study aimed at analysing the effect of this virus on the white blood cell (WBC) parameters.

Study Design: Retrospective record-based study.

Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi. It was one of the largest COVID designated hospitals in India during the COVID pandemic. A total of 200 patients admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital during the COVID wave in April-May 2021 and the COVID wave in January-February 2022 were randomly included in the study.

Methodology: The cases were grouped into intensive care unit (ICU) patients and non-ICU patients to compare the association of severity of disease with the WBC parameters.

Results: Patients infected with COVID-19 requiring hospital admission showed leucocytosis in the present study. It was noted that the patients requiring critical care had a significantly higher total leucocyte count (TLC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and neutrophil monocyte ratio (NMR). Though no statistically significant association was noted between absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and the severity of infection, the ALC was markedly reduced in ICU patients as compared to non-ICU patients (p-value= 0.057).

Conclusion: WBC parameters TLC, ANC, NLR and NMR show significant correlation with severity of COVID-19 infection. These basic haematological parameters can be used to assess severity of COVID-19 infection and treatment response in resource limited conditions.