[Characteristics of peripheral blood leukocyte differential counts in patients with COVID-19]

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi. 2020 May 1;59(5):372-374. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112138-20200221-00114.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

To investigate the early changes of peripheral blood leukocyte differential counts in patients with COVID-19. Ten patients with COVID-19 and 30 patients with other viral pneumonia (non-COVID-19) admitted to The Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai and Jinshan Branch Hospital from January 22 to February 17, 2020 were enrolled in this study. The differential counts of white blood cells (WBC) were analyzed. Patients in COVID-19 group showed relatively lower absolute WBC count 4.95(3.90,6.03)×10(9)/L, lymphocyte absolute count 1.20(0.98,1.50)×10(9)/L and eosinophil absolute count 0.01(0.01,0.01)×10(9)/L. Leukopenia developed in two patients(2/10), lymphocytopenia also in two patients(2/10). Seven over ten patients presented with eosinophil cytopenia. In non-COVID-19 group, absolute WBC count was 8.20(6.78,9.03)×10(9)/L (P<0.001), lymphocyte absolute count 1.75(1.20,2.53)×10(9)/L(P=0.036), eosinophil absolute count 0.02(0.01,0.03)×10(9)/L(P=0.005). Lymphocytopenia occurred in 16.7% patients, eosinophil cytopenia in 16.7% patients too. In conclusion, leukopenia, lymphocytopenia and eosinophil cytopenia are more common in COVID-19 patients than those in non-COVID-19 patients.

探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)患者早期外周血白细胞分类特点。对2020年1月22日—2月17日上海市第六人民医院及其金山分院收治的10例COVID-19患者及同期收治的30例其他病毒导致的病毒性肺炎(非COVID-19)患者血白细胞分类进行分析。10例COVID-19患者白细胞计数为4.95(3.90,6.03)×10(9)/L,白细胞减少2例(2/10);淋巴细胞绝对值为1.20(0.98,1.50)×10(9)/L,减少2例(2/10);嗜酸性粒细胞绝对值0.01(0.01,0.01)×10(9)/L,减少7例(7/10)。与COVID-19组相比,30例非COVID-19患者白细胞计数8.20(6.78,9.03)×10(9)/L(P<0.001);淋巴细胞绝对值1.75(1.20,2.53)×10(9)/L(P=0.036),16.7%患者淋巴细胞减少;嗜酸性粒细胞绝对值0.02(0.01,0.03)×10(9)/L(P=0.005),16.7%患者嗜酸性粒细胞减少。COVID-19组的白细胞、淋巴细胞及嗜酸性粒细胞数值显著低于非COVID-19组。.

Keywords: COVID-19; Eosinophil; Viral pneumonia.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Case-Control Studies
  • China
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood*
  • Eosinophils / cytology
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Leukocytes / cytology*
  • Leukopenia
  • Lymphopenia
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / blood*
  • SARS-CoV-2