Hematological and biochemical alterations in malaria patients with clinical correlation in a tertiary care hospital.

Abstract

Back gound and objectives : - Malaria is a major health problem in India being one of the biggest burdens in terms of morbidity and mortality among all infectious diseases. Malaria is the most important parasitic infection which poses major health challenges. Malaria pathogenesis is based mainly on extensive changes of Hematological and biochemical parameters. To find out clinical and laboratory findings in malaria caused by various plasmodium species. Materials & Methods: The present study for a period of two years from Oct 2010 to Nov 2012 was done in the department of pathology, Santhiram Teaching Hospital, Nandyal, Kurnool (DT) A.P. Study includes all the patients presenting with blood film proven malaria. This study includes frequency of changes in Hematological and Biochemical parameters with clinical correlation. The frequencies of various symptoms and signs of malaria caused by various Plasmodium species were determined. Mean,S.D, minimum, maximum values of laboratory alterations were calculated .Results:- One hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled for study .Out of the 113 cases 66 (58.4%) were males and 47 (41.5%) were females, and male to female ratio 1.4:1 that is 66 vs 47.Out of the 113 cases 52 (46%) had falciparum malaria, 26 (23.6%) had vivax malaria and 35 (30.9%) had mixed Infection. Anemia was seen in 68 cases (60.17%) of the patients and Thrombocytopenia was seen in 79 cases (69.9%,Leucopenia was seen in 29(25.66%) cases. Mean Hemoglobin was 11.06gm/dl, mean TLC was 6243.36, mean platelet count was 1,23309. Fevers, chills, sweating were leading clinical presentation in all three forms. Splenomegaly was leading sign in all forms. Anemia and jaundice were more common in plasmodium falciparum and mixed infections as compared to plasmodium vivax. Serum urea, creatinine, plasma glucose were with in normal limits in all the patients with malaria and raised serum bilrubin in some patients. conclusion: Malaria must be considered as a leading differential diagnosis in acute febrile patients with more abnormalities like splenomegaly, fall in Hemoglobin level, platelet count and raised bilrubin. It is suggested that the index of suspicion for malaria should be kept high in patients presenting with fever associated Anemia and thrombocytopenia. Corresponding Author Address:- Dr.Syam Sundar Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Santhiram Medical College, Nandyal, India Email; Syambyna@gmail.com Cell No.094935 17944