Leucocyte count, platelet count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in pulmonary tuberculosis

We have evaluated the haematological values of 50 adult patients with untreated pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and compared them with those of 50 normal age and sex-matched controls. Anaemia (usually mild) and an invariably (but moderately) elevated ESR were observed as expected. Thrombocytopaenia and thrombocytosis were observed in equal number of patients (18% respectively). We observed significant lymphopaenia (rather than lymphocytosis) in these untreated PTB patients, occurring in 46% (p < 0.0001). Lymphocytosis was observed in only 6% of the PTB patients. Another interesting observation was neutrophilic leucocytosis, which occurred in 40% of the patients. We would suggest that in evaluating results of haematological values in suspected cases of PTB, lymphopaenia rather than lymphocytosis, should be considered.