Haematological findings and endemicity of malaria in Gadap region.

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.