the impact and morphology of anaemia among lassa fever patients treated in a dedicated treatment center in south west nigeria

Abstract Background: The haematological indices in Lassa fever infection is not documented in the literature. The clinical relevance of anaemia on the disease course is also largely unknown. Aim: In this study, we aim to determine the impact and morphologic types of anaemia in patients with Lassa fever infection using the red cell indices and to also determine the impact of anaemia on clinical course of the infection. Method: Retrospective observational analytic study of data of confirmed Lassa fever cases managed in the Infection Control and Research Centre of federal Medical Centre Owo Nigeria from November 2018 to June 2019. Results: A total of one hundred and eighty seven (187) confirmed cases were treated at the Infection Control Centre during this period of which we were able to obtain one hundred relevant data for our study (100). The age range was 1-90 years with a mean age range of 33.95±18.80, with 54% male and 46% female. A total of 69% (31 males, 38 females) had anaemia, while 31% had no anaemia, 47% had microcytic hypochromic anaemia, 22% had normocytic normochromic anaemia, 19% had bleeding diathesis, 16% had acute kidney injury, 12% had haemodialysis, 29% with severe anaemia were transfused, 80% had haematinics. The median duration of illness in days was 21vs.16.5 for those with or without anaemia respectively. The median duration in days for ribavirin use was 11 vs. 10 days for those with or without anaemia respectively. Four (4) people each died in both group, the low mortality may have been influenced by the readily availability of blood transfusion services, the other four from the non- anaemic group died from other complications not related to anaemia. All of the patients with anaemia were placed on haematinics as against 31% without anaemia. At discharge, 18(22.5%) patients with anaemia still remained positive with a positive Lassa PCR result after completion of 10days I.V ribavirin while 6(30%) had a negative Lassa PCR result. Conclusion: This study has shown the significant impact of anaemia among Lassa fever patients, classified the morphology of anaemia in these categories of patients and reduced mortality outcome following a readily available blood transfusion service and relevant personnel. The study thus, emphasizes the role of a functional blood transfusion service and clinical haematologist in the management of Lassa fever patients. The recognition of these findings will help in management of Lassa fever patients with timely intervention where necessary. Keywords Anaemia; Clinical Haematologist; Fmc Owo; Hypochromic; Microcytic; Normochromic; Lassa Fever