Hematological and Coagulation Features of COVID-19 Patients in Hodeidah, Yemen

Abstract

Background: The blood parameters are very important markers for the progression of COVID-19 infection and predicator for severity. Objectives: Therefore, the study aimed to describe the hematological and coagulation features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methodology: The descriptive study (a case series) included 49 patients that were diagnosed clinically and confirmed by the real time – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with COVID-19. The patients were extremely debilitated, the severe and critical cases were treated in the isolation center (inpatient). Hematological parameters and coagulation tests were measured based on standards methods. Results: The results revealed that 85.7 % of the patients had pretreatment leukocytosis with average count of WBC 15.24 ± 6.18 (×10 9/L). On the other hand, the WBC count, which had reached a peak of 34 (×10 9/L) as maximum value.  Also, the reduction of the lymphocytes (lymphopenia) associated with COVID -19 infection was up to 1 % with average (8.75 ± 6.92 %).  The neutrophils increased (neutrophilia) to 98 % with average (87.40±8.45%). In addition, the thrombocytopenia was reported in 2/49 cases (4.08 %), and low in hemoglobin (severe anemia) was reported in 5/49 case (10.20 %).  The coagulation tests revealed increased in D-dimer levels (p < 0.05) in severe and critical patients. On the other hand, the results showed normal in prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (p > 0.05). Conclusion:  The study concluded that decrease in lymphocytes (lymphopenia), increase in NLR in patients with severe COVID-19 infection and increase in D-dimer are good predicator for progressive and severity illness in COVID-19 infection.