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.


METHODS
An observational study.


METHODS
Baqai Medical University, Fatima Hospital Laboratory, Karachi, from January 2006 to December 2007.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Malik
Ansar Mahmood
AM
Department of Medicine, Baqai Medical University, Karachi. ansarmmalik@yahoo.com
Zaffar
Nusrat
N
Ali
Nadir
N
Malik
Aminah Mahmood
AM
Khan
Rubina
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007962:Leukocytes; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
D006454:Hemoglobins