Haematological alterations in leprosy patients treated with dapsone

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the haemoglobin concentration (Hb); total white blood cell count (WBC), differential WBC count; platelet count and reticulocyte count in leprosy patients already treated with dapsone. Design: A case-control study. Setting: Specialist Hospital Ossiomo, which is a Leprosarium and Haematology laboratory, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Nigeria. Subjects: Seventy six leprosy patients (forty males and thirty six females) age range 13-40 years on single dose dapsone. Results: The haemoglobin concentration showed a marked decrease while the reticulocyte count was markedly elevated which was suggestive of haemolytic anaemia. There was also lymphocytosis in patients during pre and post dapsone therapy. Conclusion: Leprosy patients on a dosage of 100mg dapsone, are prone to haemolytic anaemia. Leprosy patients should routinely have their Hb, WBC, platelet count and reticulocyte count determined, while on dapsone therapy in order to ascertain the presence of haemolysis.