Impact of Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria Infection on Red Blood Cell Indices in Adults Living in Ido-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health problem in most countries of the tropics, It cause of morbidity and mortality accounting for an estimated of 300 to 500 million morbid episodes with 2 to 3 million death in a year worldwide. The aim of the study was to elucidate red blood cells indices patterns in adults infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and their impact on improved diagnosis and therapy. Malaria infected adult individuals within the age 15-64 years presented with signs and symptoms of malaria infection was used for the study, 4ml of blood sample was collected twice from each malaria infected individuals and dispensed into dipotassium ethylenediaminetetracetic acid vaccutainer bottles grouped as pre-treatment and post anti-malaria drug treatment sample. Red blood cell indices were analyzed using haematology analyzer, malaria parasite detection, malaria parasite count and malaria parasite species identification were carried out using stained thick and thin blood film. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Mean±SD of red blood cell indices was significantly (p<0.05) lower in age group A compared with other age groups in malaria infected (pre and post anti-malaria therapy) and non-malaria infected groups; red blood cell morphology shows normocytic and normochromic anaemia with a notable microcytosis and hypochromia. Parasite density was significantly reduced after taking anti-malaria drug. Anaemia is a major haematological disorder in patients infected with malaria at all age groups. Use of anti-malaria therapy would result in greater clinical and haematological benefits, after the recovery period of malaria infection.