title: Comparative study of microscopic detection methods and haematological changes in malaria.
abstract: Quantitative buffy coat (QBC) technique, thick smears, thin smears and conventional buffy coat smears were compared for malarial parasite detection. Of 200 blood samples studied, 70 (35%) samples were positive by QBC technique, 62 (31%) samples by thick smears, 50 (25%) samples by thin smears and only 34 (17%) samples were positive by conventional buffy coat technique. 8 (4%) samples detected by QBC technique alone, had low parasitic index. Haematological analysis was performed on samples positive for malarial parasite. Anaemia was present in 66 (94.28%) samples of which 37 (56.06%) were Plasmodium falciparum, 21 (31.81%) were Plasmodium vivax and 8 (12.12%) had mixed infection (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax). 35 (50%) cases showed normocytic normochromic anaemia. Majority of the samples showed normal total and differential leukocyte count. Thrombocytopenia was found in 49 (70%) samples of which 33 (67.34%) were Plasmodium falciparum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences and Medical College, Indore and Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior. drmeenaljain_2005@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Meenal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Manmohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000302:isolation & purification