Iron deficiency anemia is common and worldwide distributed, particularly among females; however, it can also occur among males. Iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with thrombocytosis; little is known about the effect of iron therapy (oral or intravenous) on other hematological parameters. We report a 29-year-old male patient with iron deficiency anemia, who received oral iron replacement therapy and developed neutropenia which recovered spontaneously 1 month later.

Introduction Severe IDA can cause many complications and impair the quality of life. Iron is an essential micronutrient required for catalysis, DNA synthesis, redox reactions and oxygen transport1. It is important for an early step in embryonic haematopoiesis, which is common for all developing blood cells. The link between IDA and leukopenia is not well recognized in the literature. Objectives To assess the prevalence and clinical significance of leukopenia in patients with IDA and effect of iron replacement and correction of anemia on the WBCs count. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients attended haematology clinic with the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) over 2 years in Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. All other causes of anemia and patients with systemic or chronic diseases were excluded. Age, nationality, BMI, Complete blood count and iron parameters were collected before and after treatment with IV iron therapy. Associated infections at the time of presentation (IDA and leukopenia) were noted including the course of the infection and response to treatment. Leukopenia was defined as WBCs count below 4000/microlitre. Statistical analysis was done using paired t test to compare variables after versus before iron therapy. Results Out of 1567 case of iron deficiency anemia, 80 case had leukopenia (5.105%) Their mean Leukocytes count was 3.35 +/- 0.48 ×103 before iron replacement. 7 patients had infections; 4 had upper respiratory tract infection, 1 urinary tract infection, 1 gastroenteritis, 1 lymphadenitis. Six of them received antibiotics and they had no complications. After iron therapy and correction of anemia the leukocyte count increased significantly to 4.38 +/- 1.82×103 (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between WBC count and iron parameters (Hb, TIBC, serum iron concentration). Discussion High level of erythropoietin in IDA is thought to cause down regulation of neutrophils in animal models. In our study leukopenia occurred in 5.1% of the big cohort with IDA. A previous study on 516 patients with IDA recorded leukopenia in 17.6% of them. Their cases with leukopenia occurred more in patients with severe anemia. The increase of WBC count with correction of anemia suggested a physiologic link between erythropoiesis and leukopoiesis. However, our study did not show correlation between WBC count and Hb or any of the iron parameters. In concert with our finding, a study in healthy children (n = 556) did not find associations between the measured iron markers and WBC In addition, the association between IDA and leukopenia did not significantly increase the risk of infections in our patients. The link between leukopenia and IDA needs to be addressed in more studies. Conclusions: The prevalence of leukopenia in this big cohort with IDA was 5.1%. This leukopenia was not associated with severe or complicated infections. There were no associations between the measured iron markers and white blood cell counts in healthy adults Figure Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Isolated TLA is an extremely rare condition, but should always be considered in a patient presented with liver abscess, especially from an endemic area. Diagnosis depends on histological identification, with treatment being quadruple therapy.

Introduction Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major public health issue, with widespread prevalence and negative impact on health care system. IDA occurs when iron stores diminish to the level that disturbs erythropoiesis and causes anemia. Neutropenia is an abnormal reduction in the number of neutrophils. A little is known about the association between iron deficiency anemia and neutropenia. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of neutropenia in a large cohort of adult patients with IDA and to find possible correlation between neutrophil levels with haemoglobin concentration and iron stores. We studied associated infections in this neutropenic group. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 1567 patients attended haematology clinic with the diagnosis of IDA ((haemoglobin level less than 12 gm/dl for women, less than 13 gm/dl for men) over the past 2 years in Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. Other causes of anemia and anemia associated with any systemic or endocrine disease were excluded. The values of complete blood count (CBC) and iron parameters were collected. Neutropenia was defined as neutrophils count to be less than 1.5x 109/L Results Sixty four patients of the 1567 cohort with IDA had neutropenia (4.084%) Their mean neutrophils count = 1.18 +/- 0.28x 109/L before iron replacement. Neutrophil count increased significantly to 2.33 +/- 1x 109/L after iron therapy (p< 0.05) . No significant correlation was detected between neutrophil count on the one hand and iron level, iron saturation, TIBC, Transferrin and ferritin level on the other hand. Eight out of the 64 patients with neutropenia had infection at the time of presentation; 5 upper respiratory tract infections, 1 gastroenteritis, 1 lymphadenitis, 1 urinary tract infections. Five of these patients received antibiotics, with no complications reported. Discussion In our cohort with IDA the prevalence of neutropenia was 4.08%. In all patients, the neutrophil count returned to normal after proper iron therapy. The effect of iron deficiency on neutrophils count is through its effect on haematopoiesis progenitors and bone marrow microenvironment which regulates the production of cell lineages. In addition, the high level of erythropoietin (observed in IDA) has been shown to down-regulate neutrophil production in animal models. In another relatively smaller study on 516 patients with IDA, neutropenia was found in 17.6% However, unlike in our study the neutrophil count was correlated with Hb level. On the other hand in 97 patients with unexplained neutropenia, IDA was found in 2.1% with correction of neutrophil count after correction of the anemia. In addition, the associated infection rate was low and was treated without complications. Our findings support a possible link between IDA and neutropenia evident by the improvement of neutrophils count after iron replacement, (1.18 vs 2.33x 109/). Conclusions: The finding of neutropenia is not uncommon in patients with IDA. This neutropenia markedly improved after iron replacement. Iron is essential for proper development and maintenance of the immune system in general and further studies are required to elaborate further in this unique association. Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is one of the most common health problems worldwide, its prevalence is up to 1 in 5 of the general population. The diagnosis of absolute iron deficiency is easy unless the condition is masked by inflammatory conditions. All cases of iron deficiency should be assessed for treatment and underlying cause.In developing countries, iron deficiency anemia is nutritional, resulting from reduced intake of bioavailable iron , and often associated with infections causing hemorrhages, such as hookworm infestation . In Western societies, other than in individuals at risk, iron depletion results from chronic bleeding and/or reduced iron absorption, disorders that may be more relevant than anemia itself.The association between IDA and lymphocytopenia is poorly addressed in the literature. Objective: To assess the prevalence of lymphocytopenia in a large cohort with IDA and to study the effect of iron replacement on lymphocytes count. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients attended haematology clinic with the diagnosis of IDA over 2 years in Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. Patients with other forms of anemia were excluded as those with chronic or systemic diseases. Complete blood count and iron parameters were collected and analysed. Lymphocytopenia was defined as lymphocyte count less than 1000/microlitre. Statistical analysis was done using mean and SD and paired t test to compare variables after versus before treatment. Results The mean age of our IDA patients was 37.95 years with a mean BMI = 31.82. Out of 1567 case of IDA, 20 had lymphocytopenia, (1.276%). The mean lymphocytes count mean increased from 0.73 +/- 0.15 x 10^9 before iron replacement, to 1.79 +/- 0.74 x 10^9 after iron treatment (p < 0.05) (iron dose of 1000 mg of IV iron saccharate or ferric carboxymaltose) . Four out of the 20 patients with lymphopenia had mild infections (2 upper respiratory tract infections, 1 urinary tract infection and one gastroenteritis) with no serious complications. These findings suggested that the lymphopenia associated with IDA is correctable and does not increase infection risk in these patients. Discussion Our study showed a possible negative impact of IDA on lymphocytes count in a small number of patients that was corrected with the correction of anemia with iron therapy. Animal studies showed that iron deficiency may lead to impaired T lymphoid differentiation and may negatively affect all cell lineage in haematopoiesis not only on erythroid line. A case control study by Das et al. found significantly lower levels of CD4+ T-cell counts and CD4:CD8 ratios in iron deficient children, however there was no significant effect on immunoglobulin levels. Conclusions: Lymphopenia may occur in a small percentage of patients with IDA. Significant increase in the lymphocyte count occur with iron therapy and correction of the anemia. Lymphopenia was not associated with serious infections. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.