ABSTRACT
Leucocytosis, marked increase in the number of white blood cells (WBC) is a known physiological
response to trauma. In recent times, several studies have asserted the absence of this response in
Africans. In view of this, current study investigated the existence of, and prognostic implications of
post-traumatic leucocytosis amongst adult Nigerians with acute musculoskeletal (MSK) trauma. Two
hundred and twenty three (223) adult male and females (MSK traumatized) and fifty apparently
healthy volunteers (adults) were ethically recruited from the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu,
regional centre for trauma, orthopaedic, burns and plastic surgery in south-east Nigeria. Using the
Leishman’s stained blood smear technique, leucocyte profiles [Neutrophil, Lymphocytes, Basophils,
Eosinophils and Monocyte counts] were obtained for each participant. In all case, Age, Gender and
duration of hospitalization were also obtained. Following careful analysis, study found, using one
Original Research Article
Asemota et al.; IBRR, 9(1): 1-9, 2019; Article no.IBRR.46714
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way analysis of variance (ANOVA), a statistically significant increase (p < .05) in acutely traumatized
subjects; with adults of ages 20 to 49 years constituting the majority (70%). A statistically significant
lymphopenia was also observed in test population, with Pearson Product Moment Correlation
proving positive for higher levels of WBC counts. A negative correlation was also seen for
Neutrophils and lymphocyte counts, implicating the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Stress Factor (NLSF).
We recommend the exploration of the NLSF for prognosis of Leucocytosis in Africans.