Reactive thrombocytosis and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

This study aimed at assessing the reactive thrombocytosis and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis living in Port Sudan City, Red Sea State, Sudan. This study covers the period from June 2006 up to December 2008 at Port Sudan Tuberculosis Diagnostic Center. Hundred newly discovered Ziehl Neelsen stain positive males (77%) and females (23%) were randomly selected to be the study sample and fifty apparently healthy adult males (76%) and females (24%) were also randomly selected to be the control group of the study. The ages of the patients ranged from 14 to 70 years old. Thrombocytosis was detected in 20% of the patients. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was increased in 100% of the patients. The changes in these parameters (platelets count and ESR) may reflect a reaction to the inflammatory condition. Therefore, in endemic areas, the presence of such hematological peripheral blood changes may raise the suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis. Key words: Tuberculosis, thrombocytosis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Port Sudan.