Department of Haematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
Ahmed, S.G., Department of Haematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria; Uraka, J., Department of Haematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
The majority of patients with sickle-cell anaemia live in the underdeveloped nations where endemic parasitic diseases are prevalent and this may exacerbate the severity of steady-state anaemia in infected patients. We studied the impact of intestinal parasites on haematological parameters of sickle-cell anaemia patients aged 18-35 years in Kano, Nigeria. Of 100 patients studied, 27 were found to be infected with intestinal parasites. There were no signifcant differences between patients with and without parasitic infections with respect to leukocyte and platelet counts. However, patients without parasitic infections had a signifcantly higher mean haematocrit than patients with parasitic infections [0.27 L/L (SD 0.03) versus 0.23 (SD 0.03) L/L]. Anaemia in sickle-cell anaemia patients may be exacerbated by intestinal parasites, and these patients should have regular stool examinations for detection and treatment of parasitic infections in order to improve their haematocrit and avoid the risk of blood transfusion.
adult; article; controlled study; disease exacerbation; feces analysis; hematocrit; hematological parameters; human; intestine parasite; leukocyte count; major clinical study; Nigeria; parasitosis; sickle cell anemia; thrombocyte count; Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Female; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Leukocyte Count; Male; Nigeria; Prevalence; Severity of Illness Index