Hepatitis B Positivity can Impair Some Haematological Parameters

Hepatitis B virus is a deadly viral infection that kills slowly if not treated and could be the underlying
cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Some Hepatitis B positive patients may present with
symptoms while some others maybe asymptomatic hence, the need to assess their haematological
indices. Twenty-five Hepatitis B positive patients (male and female) attending Madonna University
Teaching Hospital (MUTH) Elele Nigeria were used as subjects while another twenty five Hepatitis B
negative apparently healthy individuals (males and females) served as controls. The positive patients
were further divided into symptomatic and non-symptomatic groups. Verbal consent was obtained
prior to sample collection. The samples were analyzed using standard manual methods. The research
was approved by Madonna University Ethical Committee (MUEC). There was significant (p<0.05)
decrease in PCV and Hb and while ESR had significant increase. Most of the Hepatitis B positive
patients (17) were asymptomatic while others (8) showed symptoms. When the asymptomatic and
symptomatic groups were compared, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in all the
parameters. Hepatitis B positive patients could be at risk of developing anaemia. Management and
treatment could be better handled before the onset of symptoms associated with Hepatitis B infection.
Early diagnosis and inclusion of Hepatitis B screening in routine test is recommended.