English

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Plasmodium Vivax malaria is endemic in the northern and eastern part of India. Although Plasmodium falciparum has been commonly implicated as the cause of complicated malaria but now the trend is changing and vivax is increasingly presenting with severe complications. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the occurrence and severity of thrombocytopenia in patients of vivax malaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients were included in the study and identified positive for malaria parasites on peripheral smear examination with conventional microscopy. Platelet count was done on a fully automated, quantitative, hematology Counter at the time of presentation of patient. INCLUSION CRITERIA: freshly diagnosed cases of vivax malaria. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients with associated falciparum, dengue, leptospirosis or any other known cause of thrombocytopenia. RESULTS: Platelet count was found to be normal in 32 patients. The mean platelet count in vivax malaria was 1,15,390/μl (SD 64,580) with a range of 8000-5,73,000/μl, Mild thrombocytopenia (50000 to 150000) was found in 36 patients. Moderate thrombocytopenia(20000 to 50000) was found in 20 patients. Severe thrombocytopenia (<20000) was found in 12 patients. Platelet transfusion was given in 9 patients and bleeding manifestations were noted in 4 patients. Thrombocytopenia was found to be more common among males (80.59%) and more common in younger age groups. CONCLUSION: Presence of thrombocytopenia is not a distinguishing feature between Vivax and Falciparum types. Thrombocytopenia less than 20,000/μl can occur in P. vivax malaria. The mechanism of occurrence of complications in vivax malaria is still poorly understood but this study can have therapeutic implications regarding more aggressive treatment of plasmodium vivax which was once considered purely benign and uncomplicated.