Hematologic Findings of Influenza in H1N1 Pandemic in Winter 2015, Mazandaran Province, Iran

Background and purpose: Influenza is a seasonal respiratory illness that affects all age groups and causes excess mortality. Identifying the clinical manifestations and complications could be of great value in preventing the flue pandemic. Recent H1N1 pandemic is associated with some unusual findings such as thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and lymphopenia which are not reported in other types of Influenza. Herein we investigate the hematological manifestations of influenza patients. This study included all patients with flu symptoms attending Sari Imam Khomeyni Hospital and Qaemshahr Razi Hospital, winter 2015. H1N1 influenza infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal specimen received through nasopharyngeal swabs according to the National Committee of Influenza guidelines. CBC and WBC differentiation were performed to detect leukopenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia. In this research 96 patients including 53 (55.2%) females and 43 (44.8%) males (mean age: 43.6±16.9) were studied. Mean WBC of patients were 6.9±2.62×103/cc and leukopenia was detected in 22 (22.9%) patients. The mean platelet count was 100×103/cc and 36 (37.5%) patients were thrombocytopenic. Mean hemoglobin levels were 6.1±1.12 g/dL and anemia was seen in 68 (70.8%) patients. There was no significant association between age, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. In this study, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and anemia were detected in patients infected with H1N1 influenza.