THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MALARIA
Abstract
Background: Malaria is usually associated with reduced blood cell counts & mild to moderatethrombocytopenia is a common association of malaria. The cause of thrombocytopenia is poorly
understood, but the immune-mediated lysis, sequestration in the spleen and dyspoietic processes in
the marrow with diminished platelet production have all been postulated. This study was
conducted to evaluate thrombocytopenia in the patients suffering from acute Plasmodium
falciparum malaria. Methods: This descriptive case series study was conducted at a tertiary care
hospital, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, over a one-year period. A
total of 370 Plasmodium falciparum positive on peripheral blood film were studied. Full blood
counts were determined by using automated Coulter analyzer. Thick & thin smears were stained
with Giemsa stains and studied by haematologist. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 10.0.
Results: Out of 370 patients, 260 were male & 110 were female, with M:F ratio of 2.36:1. Mean
age was 34±1.7 years (range 16-53 years). Haemoglobin values were 12.7±1.4g% and white blood
cells counts were found 12600±450/µL. Out of 370, 114 (30.81%) had normal platelet counts, and
256 (69.18%) had thrombocytopenia (p<0.05). The mild, moderate and severe thrombocytopenia
were found in 39 (10.5%), 180 (48.6%) and 37 (10%) respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions: We
found high frequency of mild to moderate thrombocytopenia in the Plasmodium falciparum
malaria. Finding of thrombocytopenia is of diagnostic help as it raises the suspicion of malaria.
Keywords: Thrombocytopenia, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum
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