Study of thrombocytopenia in patients of malaria

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a Protozoal disease caused by infection with parasites of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted to man by certain species of infected female Anopheline mosquito. In 2008 there were 1.52 million cases of malaria in India, out of which 0.76 million case of Plasmodium falciparum, comprising 50% of total malaria cases. There were 924 deaths from malaria. Hematological abnormalities have been observed in patients with malaria, with anemia, and thrombocytopenia being the most common. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this study to find out the frequency and the degree of thrombocytopenia in patients with malaria. In our study, 230 patients with malaria positive were investigated with platelet count. RESULTS: In the study group of 230 patients: 130 (56.51%) were positive for Plasmodium vivax, 90 (39.13%) were positive for P. falciparum and 10 (4.34%) had mixed infection with both P. vivax and P. falciparum. Out of 130 cases detected with vivax malaria, 100 cases had thrombocytopenia. Out of 90 cases detected with falciparum malaria, 70 cases had thrombocytopenia. Among 10 cases of mixed infection, 9 cases had thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of thrombocytopenia in a patient with acute febrile illness in the tropics increases the possibility of malaria. The above finding can have therapeutic implications in context of avoiding unnecessary platelet infusion in malaria patients.