Assessment of hematological parameters in patients of active pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a major public health issue in India, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it affects not only the lungs but also other organs and bone marrow. Hematological abnormalities are frequently observed in tuberculosis patients and can serve as markers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. The aim of this study was to evaluate various hematological characteristics in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 50 diagnosed tuberculosis patients were included, and their blood samples were collected at MGM Medical College and associated hospitals. Hematological analysis was performed using 4 ml of venous blood in an ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) tube. Two milliliters of blood were used for hematological analysis with a hematology analyzer, and the remaining 2 ml were utilized for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurement using Wintrobe’s method. The observations revealed significantly low levels of hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), and blood indices values, indicating anemia. The white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count, platelet count, and ESR values were elevated in tuberculosis patients. In conclusion, measuring hematological parameters in tuberculosis patients provides a simple and cost-effective approach to monitor disease progression and complications, particularly in resource-limited settings like India.