Assumed white blood cell count of 8,000 cells/μL overestimates malaria parasite density in the Brazilian Amazon.
Quantification of parasite density is an important component in the diagnosis of malaria infection. The accuracy of this estimation varies according to the method used. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the parasite density values obtained with the assumed value of 8,000 cells/μL and the automated WBC count. Moreover, the same comparative analysis was carried out for other assumed values of WBCs. The study was carried out in Brazil with 403 malaria patients who were infected in different endemic areas of the Brazilian Amazon. The use of a fixed WBC count of 8,000 cells/μL to quantify parasite density in malaria patients led to overestimated parasitemia and resulted in low reliability when compared to the automated WBC count. Assumed values ranging between 5,000 and 6,000 cells/μL, and 5,500 cells/μL in particular, showed higher reliability and more similar values of parasite density when compared between the 2 methods. The findings show that assumed WBC count of 5,500 cells/μL could lead to a more accurate estimation of parasite density for malaria patients in this endemic region.
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil; Biomedicine Department, Univag University Centre, Varzea Grande, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Eduardo R
ER
Alves-Junior
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil; Biomedicine Department, Univag University Centre, Varzea Grande, Mato Grosso, Brazil; Medical Department, Facimed Course of Medicine, Cacoal, Rondônia, Brazil.
Luciano T
LT
Gomes
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Daniele
D
Ribatski-Silva
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Clebson Rodrigues J
CR
Mendes
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Fabio A
FA
Leal-Santos
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Luciano R
LR
Simões
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Marcia Beatriz C
MB
Mello
Julio Müller Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil; Medical Department, Facimed Course of Medicine, Cacoal, Rondônia, Brazil.
Cor Jesus F
CJ
Fontes
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001331:Automation; D001938:Brazil; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood* / Q000469:parasitology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results