Study on the influence of malarial parasite inside red blood cells on reticulocyte count

Objective To study the influence of malaria parasites inside red blood cells on reticulocytes count by the Bayer ADVIA 2120 automated hematology analyzer.Methods We detected the condition of reticulocyte of malaria patients with ADVIA 2120 automated hematology analyzer and compared with that of healthy people.Results Compared the absolute reticulocyte count(RET #),reticulocyte count percentage(RET%),low absorption reticulocytes percent(% L Retic)and medium absorption reticulocytes percent(% M Retic) of malaria patients with that of the control group,there was no significant difference between those two groups(P0.05).However,there was a significant statistical difference between the high absorption reticulocytes percent(% H Retic) of malaria patients and that of control group(P0.05).Conclusion Malaria parasites do not significantly change the reticulocyte count by ADVIA 2120 automated hematology analyzer,but blood smear should be examined carefully in order to find malaria parasites provided that high absorption reticulocytes percent(% H Retic) increased in patients with clinical symptoms of fever.