Abstract:
This descriptive analytic study was carried out in Halfa Aljadeeda town in the period from
December 2008 to February 2009 to assess anemia in one hundred Schistosoma mansoni
infected patients. These patients were selected after detection of Schistosoma mansoni eggs
in their stool using wet preparation technique. Density of parasitemia was calculated using
Kato Katz technique. 5 ml venous blood was drawn from each patient, 2.5 ml placed in
EDTA container the remaining poured into plain container from which serum was
separated. Anticoagulated blood was used for CBC which was performed using Mythic 18
cell counter, the results were obtained and the mean of each parameter was calculated. They
were as followed : Hb:13 g/dl, PCV:40%, MCV:78 fl, RBC:5.2X 1012/L, MCH: 25pg,
MCHC: 31g/dl, TLC: 7.4x109/L, Total Platelet count:245x109/L, serum iron: 58μg/dl and
serum ferritin: 153 μg/l in male group, and Hb: 12g/dl, PCV: 37%, MCV: 74 fl, TRBC:
5x1012/L, MCH: 23 fl, MCHC: 31g/dl, TLC: 6.7x109, total platelet count: 240x109/L, serum
iron: 46μg/dl and serum ferritin: 143μg/l for female group. The study concluded that there
was a reduction in most parameters when compared to control group. There was a
significant reverse association between density of parasitemia in all parameters except TLC
and TRBC. Decreased blood indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) and serum iron and serum
ferritin indicated iron deficiency.