Evaluation of Blood Cells and Platelets in Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria Infected Individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate blood cells and platelets in Plasmodium falciparum malaria infected individuals. The study was conducted at Federal Medical Centre Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Two hundred and two blood samples were collected twice from each of the subjects; after obtaining informed consent and grouped as pre and post anti-malaria drug treatment samples. Thick blood film was made and stained with Giemsa’s staining technique for malaria parasite detection and malaria parasite count as described by Monica Cheesbrough, blood cell parameters were analysed using Haematology Analyser. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 16. The result of this present study showed that, the mean±SD of malaria parasite count, mean platelet volume, total white blood cell count, relative and absolute neutrophil count, relative monocyte count, relative eosinophil count, in pre treatment were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to post anti-malaria treatment and control. However, the mean±SD of absolute platelet count, relative lymphocyte count in pre treatment were significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to post treatment and control. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in male was higher compared to female. The study showed that, high parasite density was associated with severe clinical illness and complications which significantly reduced after taking anti-malaria drug. Thrombocytopaenia is one of the haematological abnormalities observed in patients with malaria parasite infection which usually disappears with the treatment of malaria infection, changes in the white blood cells were less dramatic in this study.