VARIATION OF HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES IN VARIOUS TYPES OF MALARIA

BACKGROUND: Malaria is an endemic disease in coastal Karnataka especially in Mangalore. Malaria has signs and symptoms similar to other infectious diseases making it difficult to diagnose. Peripheral smear examination is a gold standard in detection of Malaria and hematological variations are considered a good index to detect complications arising from Malaria. Previously done studies globally have also revealed various hematological variations in Malaria parasite species. The present study intends to establish a relationship between the Malaria positive cases and its various hematological parameters. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study are: To record the Hb, PCV and morphology of RBCs in smears detected positive with Malaria. To make a Total count and Differential count of WBCs in the peripheral smears of Malaria patients. To establish a relationship of thrombocytopenia with Malaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 cases were undertaken in this prospective study held for a period of 1 year between September 2011 and August 2012. Patients who were detected positive for Malaria underwent extensive hematological parameters assessment. The peripheral smears of all Malarial positive cases were stained by Leishman's stain and further a complete blood count including all hematological indices were recorded using automated Beckman coulter. The data obtained was extensively studied and statistical analysis was done by chi-square test, unpaired student t test and Mannwhaithey U test. RESULTS: P. vivax was the dominant species diagnosed (87.5%) in our study and the predominant clinical feature was fever with chills. Anemia was observed in 12.6% of P. vivax Malaria and 20% in P. falciparum cases. Leucopenia was observed in 29% (58) cases. The incidence of leucopenia was 29% in P. vivax and 32% in P. falciparum Malaria. Monocytosis was observed in 23% (46) cases of which P. vivax had 23% and P. falciparum had 20% cases. There was a significant co-relation between thrombocytopenia and Malaria. All (25) cases of P. falciparum were thrombocytopenic while 93% (163) of P. vivax had thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: The study establishes that Malaria is a true hematological disease since it affects almost all hematological parameters and this is significantly higher in P. falciparum when compared to P. vivax.