SEVERITY OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PATIENTS WITH PLASMODIUM VIVAX MALARIA; A SINGLE CENTER STUDY

Authors

  • Muhammad Hafeez
  • Faisal Rashid Lodhi
  • Zaheer Akhtar
  • M Zafar Ali
  • Anjum Aijaz

Abstract

Background: Thrombocytopenia has been frequently observed in plasmodium vivax malaria in different studies. Finding out the severity of thrombocytopenia is perhaps equally important, as it has practical as well as prognostic implications. The objective of the study was to assess the severity of thrombocytopenia in patients suffering from malaria caused by plasmodium vivax. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Malir, Karachi, which is a tertiary care Hospital for all military personnel & their families in the province of Sindh. All patients of smear positive Vivax malaria during the study period were included, and those having thrombocytopenia from any other reason were excluded. They were treated with anti-malarial drugs and their platelet counts were monitored till they normalized and discharged from the hospital. Thrombocytopenia was defined as platelets count of <150,000/cu mm. Results were analysed by SPSS 11. Results: Out of 150 cases, 133 (88%) had thrombocytopenia. Their ages ranged from 15 to 55; mean age was 35 with SD±20. Low platelet count observed was between 11000 and 146000/cu mm with SD±27404. Mean value was 79 832/cu mm. None of the patient had any bleeding episode requiring a blood transfusion. Conclusion: Plasmodium vivax associated thrombocytopenia has a benign outcome irrespective of severity of the platelet counts.Keywords: Malaria, Thrombocytopenia, Plasmodium, Parasite, Protozoan

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Published

2015-03-01

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2015): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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