Parasitaemia and Its Relation to Hematological Parameters and Liver Function among Patients Malaria in Abs, Hajjah, Northwest Yemen

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the most common infection in Yemen. The present study aims to investigate changes in hematological and hepatic function indices of P. falciparum infected individuals. This study included 67 suspected falciparum malarial patients attended in clinics and rural Abs Hospital (Tehama, Hajjah), Yemen, from October 2013 to April 2014. The diagnosis of malaria was confirmed by thick and thin film with Giemsa staining of malaria parasite. Hematological parameters and serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin (total and direct) as test indicators of liver function were studied. Patients with parasitaemia tended to have significantly lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, and platelets, compared with healthy normal subjects. Neutrophils levels were significantly higher in cases of falciparum malaria in comparison to healthy normal subjects. Serums AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin (total and direct) in falciparum malaria patients were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than those of falciparum malaria of free individuals. Hematological and liver dysfunctions measured parameters were seen associated with moderate and severe parasitaemia infection. This study concludes that hematological and hepatic dysfunction parameters could be indicator of malaria in endemic regions.

Hematological and Some Liver Function Tests In Patients with Malaria

“…This may be the possible mechanism of reduction of hemoglobin level in malaria patients (8) . Hemoglobin was significantly reduced in malaria may be due to reduced synthesis of red blood cells (RBCs) and increased breakdown of red cells by parasites (9,1,10) . Anemia is one of the most common complications of malaria, occurring as a direct and indirect consequence of the infection and destruction of erythrocytes by Plasmodium parasites.…”

“…WHO reported that low leukocyte count may be used as probable indicator for malaria in endemic countries. The decrease in lymphocyte counts associated with malaria may be due to reflecting redistribution of lymphocytes with sequestration in the spleen (10) . In our study we found increased serum bilirubin, AST and ALT activities in patients suffering from malaria as compared to control.…”

“…The elevation in serum activities of hepatic enzymes; transaminases and alkaline phosphatase are the markers of liver damage. SGPT is a specific enzyme of liver (15,10,16) . The earlier studies reported a significant reduction in hemoglobin concentration and significant elevation in serum bilirubin, AST and ALT in patients with malaria as compared to control (1,15,10,17) .…”

“…SGPT is a specific enzyme of liver (15,10,16) . The earlier studies reported a significant reduction in hemoglobin concentration and significant elevation in serum bilirubin, AST and ALT in patients with malaria as compared to control (1,15,10,17) . Our study indicates that liver enzymes AST and ALT were significantly increases in malaria patients as compared to control subjects.…”

Uncomplicated falciparum malaria among schoolchildren in Bajil district of Hodeidah governorate, west of Yemen: Association with anaemia and underweight

“…This could be attributed to the low-tomoderate levels of parasitaemia in uncomplicated malaria cases. In another context, thrombocytopenia was signi cantly associated with falciparum malaria in Hajjah governorate, northwest of Yemen [61]. A signi cant association was also reported among Kenyan and Nigerian children [21,62].…”