Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Humanized NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (hu-NSG) Mouse Model for HIV Replication and Latency Studies
Published on: January 7, 2019
Hematological Alterations in Patients Recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Havana, Cuba
Nayade Pereira-Roche1, Hilda Roblejo-Balbuena1, Lilia C Marín-Padrón1
1National Medical Genetics Center (CNGM), Havana, Cuba.
Insights
Hematological alterations in recovered COVID-19 patients, particularly men with severe illness, show persistent changes in leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and eosinophils. These findings suggest ongoing systemic inflammation post-infection.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Post-COVID Conditions
Background:
- COVID-19 sequelae are under ongoing investigation.
- Limited data exists on hematological changes after SARS-CoV-2 clearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify hematological alterations in Cuban adults post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To correlate these changes with COVID-19 disease severity.
Main Methods:
- 348 recovered COVID-19 patients in Havana, Cuba were studied.
- Patients were grouped by disease severity (asymptomatic, mild/moderate, severe).
- Hemograms and differential leukocyte counts were performed and compared.
Main Results:
- Severely ill male patients showed elevated leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes.
- These patients also exhibited decreased hemoglobin and eosinophils.
- Similar trends were observed in patients with 31-90 days recovery time.
Conclusions:
- Hematological variables correlate with COVID-19 clinical severity.
- These findings suggest persistent systemic (likely inflammatory) alterations post-infection.
- Characterization aids personalized patient follow-up and rehabilitation.
Introduction:
COVID-19 sequelae, or the short-, medium-, and long-term manifestations of the disease are under continuous study. There are currently few reports on the evolution of hematological variables following a demonstrated absence of SARS-CoV-2 after infection.
Objective:
Identify hematological alterations in Cuban adults recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their relation with disease severity.
Methods:
We selected 348 persons recovered from COVID-19 residing in Havana, Cuba with an RT-PCR study negative for SARS-CoV-2 performed two weeks after hospital discharge; a structured survey was administered to obtain clinical-epidemiological data. Three groups were established according to COVID-19 clinical criteria: asymptomatic, mild/moderately symptomatic, and severely symptomatic, which, in turn, were divided according to hospital discharge date and blood sample collection date. We performed hemograms with differential leukocyte counts and compared results among groups. We then measured the associations between hematological variables, personal medical history, and relevant lifestyle habits (smoking).
Results:
All hematological variables were within normal reference limits, although men from the group of severely ill patients had increased total leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes, and decreased hemoglobin and eosinophils, which was also evident in those with a recovery time of 31-90 days.
Conclusions:
The relation between hematological variables and degree of clinical severity offers evidence as to persistence of systemic alterations (possibly inflammatory) associated with viral infection. Their identification and characterization can facilitate personalized patient followup and rehabilitation.
