The relationship between COVID-19 and Helicobacter pylori infections in Zawia, Libya, and their effect on certain blood parameters

Purpose:
Pathogens linked to the most prevalent bacterial and viral infections worldwide are COVID-19 and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The co-infection of COVID-19 and pathogenic microorganisms posed a serious health risk. Several hematological parameters, including platelets, white blood cell total count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, (along with neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios), and red blood cells, have also been linked to the presence and severity of COVID-19 infection. This study aims to evaluate the association between COVID-19 Infection and H. Pylori infection and their effects on some blood cell counts.

Materials and Methods: 
One thousand three hundred twenty (1320) COVID-19- infected patients and their blood parameters were examined by ELISA then all data statistics were analyzed.

Results:
The percentage of H. pylori infection in COVID-19 patients was significantly high in females compared to males (56.30% and 43.70% respectively) (P=0.05) Moreover, there was a significant increase in WBCs (P=0.01), Neutrophil (P=0.004) and platelet counts (P=0.002) count with COVID-19 and H. pylori compared to the healthy group. However, there was a significant decrease in counts of lymphocytes (P=0.01), and RBC counts (P=0.03) between all the comparative groups.

Conclusion:
There was a significant correlation between H. pylori infection and COVID-19 patients. Also, there was a significant difference (x² = 2.47, p = 0.03) between all groups according to blood parameters. (Open J Bio Med Res 2022;1:2-6)