Alterations of Haemoglobin, Total and Differential White Blood Cell Counts in Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Myeliod Leukemia in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Leukemia can be described as a malignant progressive disease in the blood from excessive or abnormal immature white
blood cell. Which results to acute or chronic leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is one of the most common
leukemias occurring in the adult population. It is a type of leukemia which starts in the myeloid cells of the bone marrow.
In CML, the disorder is characterized by translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11), resulting in the fusion of BCR and ABL1 genes into
the pathogenic BCR-ABL1 oncogene, with many subsequent effects on downstream pathways. The study was aimed at
deterring the levels of alteration of haemoglobin, Total and different white blood cell counts in patients attending Federal
Teaching Hospital, Owerri. A total of 60 subjects (30 patients and 30 controls) were recruited for the study. Participants
completed an informed consent from and questionnaire. Two milliliters (2 mls) of venous blood sample was collected at
the ante-cubital vein aseptically and 2 mils was dispensed into ethylendiaamine tetraacetic acid containers, and used for
the analysis of hemoglobin using cyanmethemoglobin method, white blood cell count (WBCS) using manual WBC and
differential white cell counting method. The mean values of haemoglobin (8.78±1.82)g/dl and neutrophils(28.47±10.27)%,
in patients with leukemia were significantly reduced when compared to controls. (11.89±1.04)g/dl, and (48.83±12.86)%,
(t=8.08,P=0.000) and (t=6.78,P=0.000). On the other hand, The mean values of TWBC (30.43±29.19)x109/L, lymphocytes
(57.90±11.16)%, monocytes (11.07±6.87)% and Eosinophils (2.20±1.32)% in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia were
significantly raised when compared to the controls (7.14±2.27) x109/L, (48.83±12.86)%, (44.50±13.86)%, (4.93±3.05)% and
(1.53±0.94)%. (t=4.36, p=0.000, t=4.13, p=0.000); (t=4.47, p=0.000); and (t=2.25, p=0.028). The mean values of Hb (9.82±1.34)g/dl,
Neutrophils (30.35±10.70)% and lymphocytes (58.06±12.70)%, in males with chronic myeloid leukemia were non-significantly
higher compared to the females(7.42±1.46)g/dl,(26.00±9.53)%,(57.69±9.25)%,respectively(t=4.69,p=0.178;t=6.78,p=0.257)
and (t=4.13,p=0.931). The mean values of TWBC (27.74±23.21)x109/L, monocytes (9.76±5.21)% and eosinophils(1.29±0.85)%
were significantly raised in males with chronic myeloid leukaemia when compared to females (33.94±36.29)x109/L,
(12.77±8.51)%, and (1.85±0.98)%, respectively(t=4.36,p=0.574;t=4.47,p=0.242) and t=2.25,p=0.111).There was a nonsignificant
negative correlation of haemoglobin with TWBC, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes and Eosinophils in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Patients. (r=-0.16, p=0.41, r=-0.15, p=0.432, r=-0.03, p=0.868; r=-0.06, p=0.728 and r=-0.29,
p=0.110). CML is associated with alteration in the levels of haemoglobin, total and differential WBC counts, resulting
in anaemia and leukocytosis. Therefore complete blood count (CBC) is recommended as a routine test in the diagnosis,
management and treatment of CML.