The study of hematological parameters affected by malaria and appropriate cut-off point for the diagnosis

Abstract

This research aim to study the hematological changes and their diagnostic value to indicate

malaria infection and also the clinical symptom effect in order to improve patients screening at the hospitalsor health service which complete blood count (CBC) have done.

Blood samples were collected from 223 patients who visited malaria clinic that is in the endemic area of Tak province. CBC was analyzed by automated hematology analyzer. Thick blood film was examined using microscope as a gold standard method. The result showed that hematological parameters toward malaria infection were the decrease of lymphocyte and platelet. Platelet was the best parameter for predicting malaria infection. The appropriate cut-off point was platelet less than 205,500 cell/µl with sensitivity at 90.4 % (47 true positive samples from 54 malaria infected cases by microscope). When the parasite density increased, WBC and platelet count decreased significantly. Chill, body aches and muscle pain are clinical symptoms which help in primary screening malaria patient.

Therefore, if a patient has chills, body aches symptom and lower platelet count than cut-off point. They may be suspected to malaria infection. Blood film examination under the microscope should be carefully determined.