Leucocytes and CD4 Counts of Petrol Attendants in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

White Blood Cells (WBCs), also called leucocytes or leukocytes, are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious diseases and foreign invaders. The overall aim of this study is to determine the leucocytes and CD4 counts of Petrol attendants in Ekpoma, Edo State. A total of fifty (50) petrol attendants aged 18-60years were recruited for this study while fifty (50) apparently healthy subjects served as control. The leucocyte counts were performed using Sysmex haematology autoanalyzer while the CD4 count was carried out using flow cytometry. The mean values of WBC total count of the control and test subjects were 5.57±1.82 and 5.60±1.2 respectively. However, statistical comparison did not reveal any significant difference (P>0.05) between the two groups. With respect to differential leucocytes count, the mean values of the neutrophils (%) of the control and test subjects were 38.70±8.97 and 41.05±8.71 respectively. Similarly, statistical comparison did not reveal any significant difference (P>0.05). Furthermore, the mean values of the lymphocytes (%) of the control and test subjects were 50.81±8.94 and 48.19±8.83 respectively. Also, the statistical comparison between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). In addition, the MXD (%) values of the control and test subjects were 10.09±3.50 and 10.74±4.48 respectively. There was also no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean values of the MXD (%) of both subjects. In addition, the mean values of CD4 count of the test subjects was higher than the control, this did not reveal any statistically significant difference (P>0.05). From our findings, there was no statistically significant difference in total leucocyte and CD4 counts of petrol attendants compared to control. However, the MXD (%) of the male subjects was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to their female counterparts. Further studies that will capture subjects that have been exposed to petroleum fumes for a longer period of time is hereby recommended.