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Published on: December 19, 2020
Morphological abnormalities of leukocytes in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Moueden Amine1, Messaoudi Reda1, Derouiche Mokhtar1
1Université d'Oran 1 Ahmed Ben Bella Faculté de Médecine, Pharmacie.
Introduction:
The causative agent of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an enveloped RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) family. The effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the differentiation and maturation of blood cells have been the subject of several studies, we report our experience of an investigation of the morphologic abnormalities of leukocytes observed during COVID-19.
Patients And Methods:
This is a prospective study of 5 months, from February 2021 to June 2021. Forty COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls were included in this study. We performed complete blood count and peripheral blood smear of all patients and control samples. Leukocytes abnormalities were quantified as a percentage of 100 leukocytes of the same lineage.
Results:
The morphological abnormalities of the leukocytes found in percentage of patients have been mainly neutrophils bilobed 72,5%, hypogranulation 45%, acquired pseudo Pelger-Huet 35%, vacuolated neutrophils 42,5%, Apoptotic neutrophils 35,5 %, neutrophils with toxic granulations 30%, myelemia 45%, atypical lymphocytes 52,5%, lymphoplasmocytes 60% and vacuolated monocytes 27, 5%.
Conclusion:
Our study revealed several morphological abnormalities of the different cells of the leukocyte lineage. The presence of toxic granulations in the cytoplasm of the myelocytes was specific to this study.
Insights
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes significant leukocyte morphological abnormalities in COVID-19 patients. These include changes in neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, with toxic granulations being a specific finding.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus.
- SARS-CoV-2 impacts blood cell differentiation and maturation.
- Leukocyte morphology during COVID-19 requires detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and document the morphological abnormalities of leukocytes in patients with COVID-19.
- To quantify specific leukocyte changes observed during the infection.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study conducted over 5 months (February 2021 - June 2021).
- Included 40 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls.
- Performed complete blood count and peripheral blood smear analysis, quantifying leukocyte abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Observed significant morphological abnormalities in neutrophils, including bilobed forms (72.5%), hypogranulation (45%), and vacuolation (42.5%).
- Atypical lymphocytes (52.5%) and lymphoplasmocytes (60%) were frequently noted.
- Specific findings included acquired pseudo Pelger-Huet anomaly (35%) and toxic granulations in myelocytes (30%).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 is associated with diverse leukocyte morphological abnormalities across different cell lineages.
- The presence of toxic granulations in myelocytes was a distinctive feature identified in this study.
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