ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We compared complete blood count (CBC) with differential and markers of inflammation and coagulation in patients with and without coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting to emergency departments in Seattle, WA. METHODS: We reviewed laboratory values for 1 week following each COVID-19 test for adult patients who received a standard severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test before April 13, 2020. Results were compared by COVID-19 status and clinical course. RESULTS: In total 1,027 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients with COVID-19 (n = 155) had lower leukocytes (P < .0001), lymphocytes (P < .0001), platelets (P < .0001), and higher hemoglobin (P = .0140) than those without, but absolute differences were small. Serum albumin was lower in patients with COVID-19 (P < .0001) and serum albumin, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were each associated with disease severity. NLR did not differ between patients with COVID-19 and those without (P = .8012). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 had modestly lower leukocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet counts and higher hemoglobin values than patients without COVID-19. The NLR, serum albumin, and RDW varied with disease severity, regardless of COVID-19 status.
Subject(s)
Blood Cell Count , Blood Coagulation , COVID-19/blood , Inflammation/blood , Lymphocytes/cytology , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Blood Cell Count/methods , COVID-19/diagnosis , Emergency Service, Hospital , Humans , Leukocyte Count/methods , Lymphocyte Count/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Neutrophils/cytology , Platelet Count/methods , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicityABSTRACT
Cytometry is playing a crucial role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. In this commentary-written by a variety of stakeholders in the cytometry, immunology, and infectious disease communities-we review cytometry's role in the COVID-19 response and discuss workflow issues critical to planning and executing effective research in this emerging field. We discuss sample procurement and processing, biosafety, technology options, data sharing, and the translation of research findings into clinical environments. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.