Parasitemia and its relation to blood indices and liver function among malarial patients

Abstract

Objectives: Objective of the study is to observe effects of Parasitemia on blood indices and liver function among malarial patients. Material and Method: A total of 67 malarial patients attending the OPD were enrolled as test subjects. Venus blood was collected. Malarial parasite density was determined in various blood smears and analyzed for blood indices- Hb, PCV, total WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, platelets, AST, ALT, ALP, total and direct bilirubin. Result and Discussion: There were significant decreases in the mean values of the hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leucocyte counts (t WBC), lymphocytes and platelets. Neutrophils were significantly higher in patients with falciparummalaria in comparison to healthy subjects. There were significant increases in the mean activity enzyme values of AST, ALT, ALP and serum total and directbilirubin. The present study reports a significant increase in neutrophil level of individuals infected with P falciparum as compared to healthy subjects. Conclusion: Haemoglobin, platelet count, lymphocyte level, total WBC and neutrophil level were seen associated with mild, moderate and severe parasitaemia infection. Acute falciparum malaria infection is associated with an increase in serum activity of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase thus indicating that the infection is associated with acute liver injury.