Home Evaluation of Peripheral в Lymphocytes Alteration in COVID-19 Patients with Different Severity

Evaluation of Peripheral в Lymphocytes Alteration in COVID-19 Patients with Different Severity

*Dr. Ishad Mazhar

Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Medical College for Women and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01924824716,

Dr. Chandan Kumar Roy

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dr. Tasnim Khanam

Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur, Bangladesh.

Dr. Sharmin Akter

Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Dr. Sharmeen Ahmed, Professor

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Keywords: COVID-19, B lymphocytes, disease severity.

Abstract

Background: The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has posed a threat to global health. Lymphocytes are the important immune system components in controlling severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the differences in lymphocyte subsets, particularly B lymphocytes among COVID-19 patients and healthy controls.

Methodology: A total of 85 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled between March 2020 and January 2021 from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. The COVID-19 patients were divided into two groups: mild-moderate (n=38) and severe-critical (n=47), according to severity. Total lymphocyte, T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte numbers were measured by flow cytometry.

Results: Compared to healthy individuals, the COVID-19 group had a significant decrease in both total lymphocyte and T lymphocyte percentages (P<0.001). However, the B lymphocyte percentage was increased in the COVID-19 group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the severe-critical COVID-19 group had a significant decrease in B lymphocyte count compared to the mild-moderate COVID-19 group (P<.001) and the healthy group (P<.001). However, there was no significant difference in B cell count between mild-moderate COVID-19 group and healthy group.

Conclusion: Peripheral B lymphocytes were lower in severe COVID-19 patients compared to healthy individuals and those with mild symptoms. B lymphocyte immunophenotyping could be used as an indicator of COVID-19 severity.