Evaluation of Platelets Count and Their Indices as Prognostic Markers for Falciparum Malaria among Sudanese Patients in Khartoum North

Abstract

This is a case control study carried out in Khartoum North Teaching Hospital- Khartoum State, from February to April 2017 to evaluate platelets count, Mean Platelets Volume, Plateletcrit, and Platelet Distribution Width as prognostic markers for Falciparum malaria. Forty five falciparum malaria patients (13males and 32 females) and fifty five healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into three groups according to the duration of the disease that is (1-3 days), (4-6 days) and (7-10 days). Blood samples were drawn under aseptic conditions using EDTA as an anticoagulant and the analysis was performed by an automated sysmex. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 and expressed as means and SD in cases versus control. The results revealed that malaria patients had significantly (P≤ 0.05) lower values than the healthy individual with regard to the platelets count 〖10〗^9/L (250±81 versus 306±59) and plateletcrit (PCT) % (0.19±0.06 versus 0.24±0.05) and a significant (P≤0.05) increase in mean platelets volume (MPV)fl (8±0.91 versus7.50±0.87) and platelets distribution width (PDW) (16.7±1.39 versus15.4±1.38). Insignificant differences in the studied parameters were found between male and female patients. As the malaria duration was increased the platelets' count was significantly decreased and MPV was significantly increased (P≤0.05). MPV and PDW recorded a significant inverse correlation with the platelets count. Significant (P≤0.05) positive correlations were recorded between platelets count and PCT and between MPV and PDW. RDW exhibited significant positive correlations with platelets count and PCT (P≤0.05) and no correlation was detected between the other platelets' indices and RBCs indices (P> 0.05). It is concluded that,falciparum malaria affects the platelets count and indices. More studies are needed to verify the use of these parameters asdiagnostic markers for falciparum malaria infection.