[Association between blood test parameters and intensity of infections in imported falciparum malaria cases in Tianjin City from 2015 to 2019].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between blood test parameters and intensity of infections among imported falciparum malaria cases in Tianjin City from 2015 to 2019, so as to provide insights into the early diagnosis of imported malaria.

METHODS

The epidemiological data of 37 imported cases with confirmed diagnosis of malaria in Tianjin City from 2015 to 2019 were collected, and the epidemiological features and clinical manifestations were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, the association between blood test parameters and intensity of infections was evaluated among the imported malaria cases.

RESULTS

Among the 31 imported malaria cases, there were 31 cases (83.8%) with a reduction in platelet (PLT) counts, 16 cases (43.2%) with a reduction in red blood cell (RBC) counts, 16 cases (43.2%) with a reduction in hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, 23 cases (62.2%) with a rise in neutrophil percentage (NEUT%), 32 cases (86.5%) with a rise in total bilirubin (TBIL) concentrations, 29 cases (78.4%) with a rise in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations, 28 cases (75.7%) with a rise in aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations, and 23 cases (62.2%) with a rise in gamma-glutamyl transpetidase (GGT) concentrations. The PLT count and Hb concentration correlated negatively with the intensity of infections (Goodman-Kruskal = -0.568 and -0.521, both values < 0.05) and the TBIL concentration and NEUT% correlated positively with the intensity of infections (Goodman-Kruskal = 0.496 and 0.610, both values < 0.05) among imported falciparum malaria cases; however, there were no associations of ALT, AST, GGT levels or RBC count with the intensity of infections among the imported falciparum malaria cases (Goodman-Kruskal = 0.370, 0.497, 0.314 and -0.434, all values > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PLT, Hb, TBIL and NEUT% may serve as markers for early auxiliary diagnosis of imported malaria, and PLT and TBIL may provide valuable information for the diagnosis of severe imported malaria.