Hematological reference values in healthy adult male population in Benghazi

12 Haematological parameters [WBC, RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, Pct, MPV and PDW] were studied in 699 healthy Libyan subjects. All were males in the age group of 18 - 55 years. The coulter Counter S - Plus model was used to analyze these parameters. To establish local reference haematological parameters, all data were analyzed, in an IBM Computer For statistical analysis, which show expected patterns, a frequency curve of normal values approaches Gaussian distribution. Arithmatic Mean and standard deviation for each parameter was calculated and compared with other studies. Hb, MCV, MCH, Pct, and MPV parameters were notably higher in the present study as compared to other studies. This relative difference is probably an acquired phenomenon; better nutrition and living conditions might have influence on these parameters as well as geographic and ethnic factors

Clinical, biochemical and hematological features of an outbreak of human brucellosis in Benghazi

During the outbreak of human brucellosis in Benghazi, Libya, in June-September 1987, haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed in 18 Libyan patients [age: 16:60 years; sex: 10 male, 8 female]. Since leukopenia with relative lymphocytosis was present in 5/18 [28%] patients only, it was not considered as a general rule for diagnosis of acute brucellosis. The ESR was raised in 14/18 [78%] patients which is generally a feature of acute brucellosis. Although biochemical analyses showed in some cases moderate elevation of serum ALT [8/18], AST [7/18], ALP [2/18] and LDH [5/18], serum ALT, AST and LDH were markedly elevated in only 5/18 [28%], 6/18 [33%] and 3/16 [18%] patients respectively. The implications of these findings and methods of choice for quick confirmed diagnosis of acute brucellosis as a possible cause for pyrexia of unknown origin are discussed