Haematological findings and endemicity of malaria in Gadap region

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Plasmodium (P.) vivax and P. falciparum in cases of acute febrile illness, and the haematological parameters in patients suffering with acute malaria.

Study design: An observational study.

Place and duration of study: Baqai Medical University, Fatima Hospital Laboratory, Karachi, from January 2006 to December 2007.

Methodology: Patients with acute febrile illness were evaluated. Complete blood count and malarial parasite were performed. Descriptive statistics of haematological parameters was computed. Mean and standard deviations (SD) were calculated; p-value was determined using test of proportions on SPSS.

Results: Out of 3344 patients, 392 (11.72%) were proved as suffering from malaria with male to female ratio of 1.36. The age ranged from 1 month to 94 years. One hundred and seventy six (42.6%) had P. falciparum, 204 (52%) had P. vivax, and 21 (5.4%) had mixed infection. Haemoglobin varied from 1.10 g/dl -17.10 g/dl, (mean 9.83 + 3.09 g/dl). TLC ranged from 1.30 x 103/ul - 48.50 x 103/ul, (mean 6.80 + 5.15 x 103/ul. The platelet counts ranged from 10.0 x 103/ul - 850 x 103/ul, (mean 106 + 90.98 x 103/ul). Thrombocytopenia was observed in 70%, platelet count was significantly lower in patients with mixed infection as compared to patients with P. falciparum and P. vivax (p=.017).

Conclusion: The frequency of malaria was 11.72%. Thrombocytopenia was the most common finding. In none of the patients platelet counts dropped below the critical levels of 10 x 103/microl.