Rajendra Zope, Prachi Kate, Janice Jaison, Shalaka Saraf, Smita Bhide, Digant Gupta,
Volume 16, Issue 6 (Special issue (Nov-Dec) 2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), white blood cell (WBC) abnormalities have been found worldwide with significant inter-regional differences. In the present study, we evaluated WBC parameters concerning COVID-19 positivity and severity.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, total WBC count, absolute count of each type of WBC, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) were compared between 150 COVID-19 patients and 150 non-COVID-19 patients presenting with COVID-19-like symptoms. Also, COVID-19 patients were divided into severe and non-severe cases.
Results: The severity of the disease had no significant association with age or gender (p>0.05). Total WBC count, absolute neutrophil count, absolute monocyte count, and NLR were significantly lower (p<0.05), while LMR was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to non-COVID-19 patients (p<0.05). Total WBC count, absolute neutrophil count, and NLR were significantly higher (p<0.05), while absolute eosinophil count and absolute lymphocyte count were significantly lower (p<0.05) in severe COVID-19 patients compared to non-severe patients.
Conclusions: Age is not a predictive factor for the severity of COVID-19. Routine WBC parameters are useful in predicting the severity of the disease in COVID-19 patients and can be used as prognostic indicators. Routine WBC parameters can also be used for repeat RT-PCR testing in COVID-19 suspected patients.
Smita Bhide, Dr. Rupali Lahane,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (Jan-Feb 2024)
Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal tract complaints are prevalent among individuals in rural settings, encompassing all age groups. This study aimed to examine histopathological lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract through endoscopic biopsy and determine the frequency of various upper gastrointestinal lesions in relation to age, sex, and site.
Methods: The specimens included in our study comprise endoscopic biopsies of the upper gastrointestinal tract during October 2018 to October 2020. A total of 70 biopsies from the upper gastrointestinal tract were analyzed using endoscopy. All specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and processed following routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE) examination. Special stains were employed when necessary.
Results: Among the 70 upper gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies studied during this period, 25 (35.71%) were from the esophagus, 35 (50.0%) were from the stomach, and 10 (14.29%) were from the duodenum. Of the 70 upper gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies, 34 displayed inflammatory lesions, while 36 exhibited neoplastic lesions. There was a male predominance among the cases examined. Non-neoplastic lesions were observed in individuals aged from the second to the fifth decade, while neoplastic lesions were more prevalent in older age groups.
Conclusion: This research highlights the stomach as the predominant location for inflammatory and neoplastic lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The study reveals a notable occurrence of gastric carcinoma among malignant upper gastrointestinal lesions. Thus, early detection and management of upper gastrointestinal lesions necessitate endoscopy and subsequent histopathological evaluation.
