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Peripheral blood cell anomalies in COVID-19 patients in the United Arab Emirates: A single-centered study
Noha Mousaad Elemam1,2, Iman M Talaat1,2, Fatehia A Bayoumi1,3
1Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Peripheral blood smear analysis reveals significant morphologic abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, offering insights into disease severity and pulmonary involvement. These findings highlight the utility of hematologic evaluation in managing coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Peripheral blood count abnormalities are observed in various viral infections.
- Understanding these changes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for diagnosis and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore morphologic and quantitative abnormalities in peripheral blood counts of COVID-19 patients.
- To correlate these findings with disease severity and radiological indicators.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood smears from 131 COVID-19 patients were morphologically evaluated.
- Clinical laboratory investigations and radiological findings were analyzed.
- Demographic data including age and sex were recorded.
Main Results:
- Atypical lymphocytes (80%) and monocytes with toxic cytoplasmic vacuoles (55%) were common.
- Neutrophil changes (pseudo-Pelger-Huët, bands) and various red blood cell (RBC) abnormalities were noted.
- RBC chromicity differed significantly between stable and critical patients; CO-RADS 5 indicated similar RBC changes and decreased neutrophils.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral blood smear assessment provides valuable information on the disease state of COVID-19.
- Hematologic findings can indicate pulmonary involvement and disease severity.
- This evaluation aids in understanding the systemic effects of COVID-19.
Introduction:
In this study, we aimed at exploring the morphologic and quantitative abnormalities in the peripheral blood counts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
Methods:
A cohort of 131 COVID-19 patients was recruited at University Hospital Sharjah (UHS), UAE. Their peripheral blood smears were examined for morphological evaluation. Also, their clinical laboratory investigations and radiological findings were retrieved from the medical records. Our cohort consisted of 63 males and 68 females with an age of 63.6 ± 18.6 years.
Results:
The presence of atypical lymphocytes was observed in around 80% of the recruited COVID-19 patients. Further, monocytes with toxic cytoplasmic vacuoles were identified in 55% of the cases. Neutrophil-associated changes, including pseudo-Pelger-Huët, bands, and long nuclear endoplasm, were reported in around 25-35% of the patients. RBCs associated changes such as microcytic and hypochromic RBCs, as well as targetoid, dacrocytes, ovalocytes, echinocytes/burr cells, and schistocytes, were described. According to disease severity, RBCs chromicity was found to be significantly different between stable and critical patients. COVID-19 patients with CO-RADS 5 showed a similar change in RBCs as well as a decrease in the neutrophils with hypogranular cytoplasm.
Conclusion:
Peripheral blood smear assessment in COVID-19 patients could provide information about the disease state and pulmonary involvement.
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