Muhammad Zafar Majeed, Muhammad Shahbaz Hussain, Faiza Sarwar.
Prevalence of human malaria; it’s correlation with thrombocytopenia and treatment in patients of district Rahim Yar Khan.
Professional Med J Jan ;23(06):655-9.

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.

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