Hematological Findings in Patients Evaluated for COVID-19 at Private Laboratories in Tlemcen, Algeria: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Wafaa Lemerini; Ilyes Zatla; Assia Tchouar; Souhila Tchouar; Chahinez Triqui

Wafaa Lemerini Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Natural Substances, and Analysis, University of Abou Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
Ilyes Zatla PhD in Microbiology, Independent Researcher, Tlemcen, Algeria
Assia Tchouar Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Natural Substances, and Analysis, University of Abou Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
Souhila Tchouar Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Natural Substances, and Analysis, University of Abou Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
Chahinez Triqui Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Abou Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Complete Blood Count, Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, Platelets, Algeria, Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Complete blood count (CBC) abnormalities have been described in COVID-19, but evidence from private diagnostic laboratories in North Africa remains limited. Objective: To describe selected hematological findings and their interrelationships in patients evaluated for COVID-19 in Tlemcen, Algeria.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 50 patient records from private medical biology laboratories between January and March 2024. SARS-CoV-2 testing used PCR and rapid antigen assays on nasopharyngeal swabs. Age, sex, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and platelet (PLT) counts, and lymphocyte (LYM percent) and neutrophil (NEU percent) percentages were examined. Analyses comprised descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and principal component analysis of earlier (P) and episode-associated (R) measurements.

Results: Mean age was 61.4 plus minus 14.7 years (range 16 to 89); 34 participants (68 percent) were older than 60 years and 33 (66 percent) were female. Recorded abnormalities included leukocytosis (16 percent), reduced and elevated lymphocyte percentages (12 percent each), and leukopenia (10 percent). Lymphocyte and neutrophil percentages were strongly inversely correlated at both measurement periods (P is to r is equal to minus 0.968; R is to r is equal to minus 0.927). The first two principal components explained 54.465 percent of the total variance.

Conclusion: This selected laboratory cohort showed heterogeneous hematological findings. The strong inverse relationship between lymphocyte and neutrophil percentages partly reflects their compositional dependence. Incomplete characterization of sampling times, missing clinical outcomes, and the absence of a control group restrict interpretation to descriptive associations.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202675

How to cite this article:
Lemerini W, Zatla I, Tchouar A, Tchouar S, Triqui C. Hematological Findings in Patients Evaluated for Covid-19 at Private Laboratories in Tlemcen, Algeria: A Retrospective Descriptive Study. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(3):244-250.

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