PREVALENCE OF HUMAN MALARIA

IT’S CORRELATION WITH THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND TREATMENT IN PATIENTS OF DISTRICT RAHIM YAR KHAN.

Abstract

Malaria is one of the devastating diseases worldwide. More than 3 billion people
live under the threat of malaria in endemic countries and kills more than one million each year.
Malaria leads to multiple hematological (thrombocytopenia) and other abnormalities like renal
system, nervous system with increased morbidity and mortality. Aim: The present study was
conducted to determine the prevalence of human malaria, its correlation with thrombocytopenia
and treatment in patients of District Rahim Yar Khan. Materials and Methods: A total of 200
patients including 140 males and 60 females were the part of our study. Blood samples collection
was done during September to November following monsoon season. Patients were diagnosed
through peripheral blood smear. Both P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites against 300 white blood
cells (WBCs) were examined on the thick smear. Platelet count was done by using an automated
cell count analyzer. A platelet count of less than 150 x109/L defined thrombocytopaenia. First
line of treatment was Chloroquine in cases of Plasmodium vivax whereas Neo fansidar in
cases of Plasmodium falciparum. Results: Gender wise distribution of patients was 140 (70%)
males and 60(30%) females. We had 74 (37%) patients from urban and 126 (63%) from rural
population. Malaria was most frequent 64% by P.vivax and 36% by P.falciparum. Fever was high
during admission to hospital and after usage of antimalarials recovery and improvement in
number of platelets was noted. Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of P. vivax pose a major
health hazard but of P. falciparum also may lead to serious complications. The high frequency
of human malaria infection should be a major concern for authorities in the fight against malaria
control programs in Pakistan.