Malaria And Hematological Parameters Of Feverish Patients From 2007 To 2011 At The Pasteur Institute Of Ivory Coast

Abstract

Malaria is the leading cause of consultation and hospitalization in Ce d'Ivoire. We did a survey on blood samples from febrile patients referred to Pasteur Institute for both hematological and parasitological examinations. The aim of this study is to monitor the infection status, parasitemia and associated hematologic profile, for better care management of malaria patients with appropriate treatment. The thick and thin smear and the Complete Blood Count (CBC) documented were investigated over the period 2007 to 2011. A total 2414 samples were collected of which 343 positives smears with an average parasitemia of 3678 trophozoits per microliter of blood, and 2071 negative smears. A general plasmodic index 14.20% was then determined. Three parasite species were identified. There are 339 Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases detected, 2 cases due to Plasmodium malariae, and two by Plasmodium ovale infections. The infection index per species was 98.83% and 0.58% for the latter two species, respectively. All of the patients showed a normal white blood counted cell. An insufficient red blood counted cell was noted from a quarter of patients (26.8%). Not significant differences rate were shown in hypochromic and normocytic RBCs states. Both were associated with normocytosis with a small proportion of microcytosis (4.88%) and macrocytosis (9.77%). More than half of the population presented thrombocytopenia. This justifies the WHO recommendation in 2011, to conduct a prompt parasitological confirmation of the diagnosis by microscopic examination or by a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) before the administration of any antimalarial treatment for all suspected patients.