engleski

Cell population data: Could a routine hematology analyzer aid in the differential diagnosis of COVID-19?

Introduction: Cell population data (CPD) are background optical signals measured during complete blood count analysis on hematology analyzers that reflect structural and morphological characteristics of leukocytes. Our aim was to assess the value of CPD obtained on Sysmex XN-1000 in the differential diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the early stage of the disease. Methods: This retrospective study included 114 COVID-19 confirmed cases and 88 negative patients presenting with respiratory flu-like symptoms for whom laboratory analysis was performed at hospital admission. Results of leukocyte count, including CPD, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between the two groups. Results: All CPD except lymphocyte internal complexity (LY-WX) and monocyte nucleic acid content (MO- WY) were significantly different in COVID-19 compared to non-COVID-19 cases (P<0.001). Width of dispersion of lymphocyte cell size (LY-WZ) yielded significantly higher and non- overlapping values. Monocyte and lymphocyte cell changes reflected by MO-X, MO- Y, MO-Z and LY-X, LY-Y, LY-Z, respectively, were lower in COVID-19 patients than in the non-COVID-19 group. The majority of COVID-19 patients did not present with leukocytosis, only 28% had, predominantly mild, lymphopenia while CRP was mildly to moderately increased, with 30% of patients having normal CRP values. Conclusion: At the early stage of COVID-19 the usually reported leukocyte parameters are only mildly altered. Most CPD obtained by Sysmex XN- 1000 were significantly different compared to the control group, with LY-WZ elevation being the most prominent CPD alteration in COVID-19 patients, reflecting increase in LY size.

viral infection ; COVID-19 ; hematology ; leukocytes ; cell population data

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