Abstract

EFFECT OF DYSENTERY ON THE RED BLOOD CELLS CONCENTRATION OF PATIENTS

Chuku, L.C* and Orama, E.J

Abstract

This study examined the in vitro effect of the disease, Dysentery, on the red blood cell (RBC) concentration of patients. The packed cell volume (PCV) as well as haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations for each patient was determined. The examination of the patients’ haemoglobin concentration was compared with the normal haemoglobin concentration range for both sexes, and the result obtained revealed a decrease in haemoglobin concentration of 19 out of the 46 dysentery patients examined. From the results, it is important to note that 19 patients suffered a more severe and persistent form of the disease when compared to the remaining 27 patients who showed no significant (p≥ 0.05) decrease or increase in their haemoglobin concentration, making them less severe. Out of the 19 severe patients, 7 of them had haemoglobin concentrations below 10g/dl indicating that they were anemic and the remaining 12 patients had haemoglobin concentrations that were slightly above 10g/dl. However, the results obtained from this research were not sex-dependent and affirms that dysentery has no beneficial effect on the red blood cell concentration of patients.

Keywords: Dysentery, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, patient, red blood cell.