Impact of Malaria Parasiteamia and Haematologic parameters in Ilorin metropolis, North central Nigeria

Background: Malaria is main cause of cause of Anaemia and thrombocytopenia and those with platelet counts less than 150,000/µL have a 12–15 times higher risk of contracting malaria than those with counts greater than 150,000/µL. 

Methodology: A prospective crossectional study was employed in this study. 331 patients at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, Sobi Specialist Hospital, Okelele Comprehensive Health Centre and Civil service Clinics in Ilorin Metropolis with age range 1-60 years who presented with malaria were recruited. While those on antimalaria drugs, those with cases of complicated malaria, pregnant women and those that refused consent were excluded from the study. Ethical clearances were obtained from both the state Ministry of Health (MOH/KS/EU/777/493) and The University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin, (UITH PAN/2022/12/0223). The study followed ethical code of conduct 2019 (Helsinki). Blood samples were collected from all the participants, both thick and thin blood films were made, stained with diluted Giemsa 1:10 and these were then confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Blood counts were carried out using the Haematology Analyzer BC-5200 following manufacturer instructions, 

Results: Out of 331 patients screened, 103 (31.6%) were positive for parasitaemia and parasites density of >120000 was detected in 8 participants, P. falciparum was the only species detected. The mean values of Hb, Hct, platelet, WBC, lymphocytes and RBC were significantly low in malaria patients compared to non-infected controls and the difference is statistically significant.