Haematological Parameters In Visceral Leishmaniasis

Context: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic infectious disease caused by parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex, also known as Kala Azar. It is an endemic disease in the Indian subcontinent, mainly seen in the states of Bihar and West Bengal. VL can cause a variety of haematological disorders like anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia. Myelofibrosis, Myelodysplasia and hemophagocytosis can be seen in the bone marrow. Objective: To study the haematological parameters in visceral leishmaniasis. Material &methods: The study included retrospective analysis of 30 patients diagnosed as having leishmaniasis on bone marrow aspirate smears. The haematological parameters – haemoglobin, total leucocyte count and platelet count were studied. Statistical analysis was done. Results: The mean age of patients was 35.4 with standard deviation of 16.3 with male:female ratio 1.5:1. Haematological parameters studied showed mean haemoglobin (Hb) of 6 ± 1.3 gm/dl. (Range 5-7.1gm/dl). Leucopenia was present in 25 patients. Total Leucocyte count (TLC) was 3.6 ± 2.4 x 10/L (Range 2.3-3.6 x 10/L). Thrombocytopenia was seen in 22 patients & mean platelet count was 88.7 ± 62.2 x 10/L (Range 43-152 x 10/L). Pancytopenia was noted in 20 patients. Conclusions: In this study we found that, anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were present in the bone marrow aspirates of the VL patient.