Superiority of lymphocyte ratio over total leukocyte count in detecting the severity of COVID- 19 pneumonia

• Published in: Heliyon 2021-11, Vol.7 (11), p.e08412, Article e08412
• Main Authors: Shareef, Rawaa Hadi, Zwain, Zinah Dhiaa, Mahbuba, Wadhah Abdulhussian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronavirus; Lymphocytes; Monocytes; White blood cells
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08412

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus. Blood test including complete blood count is crucial in diagnosing of several viral and bacterial infection. This study aimed to assess the association between lymphocyte ratio and other WBC types and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. The design of this study was a cross-sectional study. A complete blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was done for one hundred twenty-six COVID-19 patients (76 males and 50 females; aged 20–70 years). Patients were randomly recruited from multicenter in Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq. The study had revealed an inverse correlation between severity of COVID-19 infection and both lymphocytes and monocytes ratio even in patients with normal WBC count. Additionally, there was a direct correlation between platelets and leukocyte count. The relation between leukocyte count and ESR level was significant in a patient with elevated WBC only. Lymphocytes and monocyte ratios inpatient with COVID-19 infection can be used as predictors for the severity of infection. Increased leukocyte count resulted in increases in platelets inpatient with COVID-19. Coronavirus; Lymphocytes; Monocytes; White blood cells.