title: How Reliable Are Hematological Parameters in Predicting UncomplicatedPlasmodium falciparumMalaria in an Endemic Region?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria remains endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hematological changes that occur have been suggested as potential predictors of malaria. This study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic relevance of hematological parameters in predicting malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study involving 370 patients with signs and symptoms of malaria was conducted at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, from May, 2012 to February, 2013. Thin and thick blood films were prepared for each patient and stained with Giemsa to aid the detection of malaria parasites. Patients' hematological parameters were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 370 patients, 61 (16.5%) had malaria. Significant differences in the hematological parameters betweenP. falciparummalaria parasitemic patients and nonparasitemic patients were only observed in mean (±SD) of the differential monocyte count (10.89 ± 6.23% versus 8.98 ± 5.02%,p= 0.01) and the platelet count (172.43 (± 80.41) ×103cells/μl versus 217.82 ± (95.96) ×103cells/μlp= 0.00). The mean (±SD) values of the red blood cell indices (hemoglobin count, MCV, MCH, and MCHC), the differential neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, and the mean platelet volume (MPV) did not significantly differ between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hematological changes are unreliable laboratory indicators of malaria in acute uncomplicatedPlasmodium falciparummalaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Haruna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Muwonge
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Sharif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikomeko
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Larry Fred
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Sembajjwe
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seguya
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Namugwanya