Comparative evaluation of various methods of diagnosis of malaria and assessment of hematological parameters in malarial infection

Abstract

Background:Malaria remains a substantial health problem in many parts of world, especially in the tropical developing nations. Management of malaria requires early and accurate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the diagnostic accuracy of different methods of diagnosis of malaria and to study the limitations mostly due to low parasite density. We also evaluate the haematological changes in malaria patients.Material and methods: The study was conducted on blood samples of patients presenting with pyrexia, attending the various Departments of VSS Institute of Medical Science &Research,Burla, Sambalpur. Blood samples were subjected to thick and thin blood smear examination, QBC method and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Haematological parameters including haemoglobin, total leukocyte count, differential count and total platelet count of malaria positive cases were studied. Results: Out of 186 cases of fever, 105 patients were positive for malaria by thick peripheral blood smears. Plasmodium falciparum constitutes 86.66% whereas P. vivax and mixed infections constitute 8.57% and 4.77% respectively of total malaria . The sensitivity of QBC test approached 100% with parasite densities above 500/cu.mm.Antigen detection method was found to be highly sensitive (92.70%) for the diagnosis of P. falciparum infection.