Abstract

Background:
Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains a major global health challenge, with significant morbidity and mortality. Beyond its respiratory manifestations, PTB is frequently associated with hematological alterations and elevated inflammatory markers, which may reflect disease severity and systemic inflammation. Data on these parameters among Libyan patients with PTB remain limited.

Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate complete blood count (CBC) parameters and inflammatory biomarkers, including the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), in patients with PTB and to investigate the correlations between these inflammatory markers and CBC parameters.

Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB between 2023 and 2025 at Al-Daran Hospital. Demographic data and laboratory results, including CBC and inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP), were extracted from medical archives. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests for group comparisons, and Pearson correlation to assess the relationships between inflammatory markers and CBC parameters.

Results:
Males comprised 71.8% of the study population, indicating a higher burden of PTB in men. CBC analysis demonstrated mild normocytic normochromic anemia, with a mean hemoglobin of 12.6 ± 2.6 g/dl and hematocrit of 38.1% ± 6.8%. Neutrophil percentages were slightly elevated (65.5% ± 15.8%), while lymphocyte counts remained within normal limits (26.9% ± 12.7%). Inflammatory markers were markedly elevated, with an ESR of 44.0 ± 38.4 mm/hour and a CRP level of 31.0 ± 48.1 mg/l, indicating active systemic inflammation. Females showed significantly lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCH compared to males (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed positive associations of CRP and ESR with total WBC count, neutrophils, and platelet count, and negative correlations with lymphocyte percentage and red blood cell indices (MCV and MCH), hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

Conclusion:
PTB is associated with mild normocytic normochromic anemia, neutrophilia, and elevated inflammatory markers. Although lymphocyte counts remained within normal ranges, they showed significant inverse correlations with inflammatory markers. Complete blood count and inflammatory parameters are strongly interrelated, highlighting their potential utility in assessing disease severity and monitoring patients with PTB.

Key words: Complete blood count; C-reactive protein; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Pulmonary tuberculosis.