Platelet count in malaria

To evaluate the significance of platelet count in cases of malaria at presentation. Descriptive study. Department of pathology CMH Lahore, from Aug 2007 to Sep 2008. A total of 256 patients of all ages with short history of febrile illness, rigors and chills were included in the study. Three ml blood sample was taken to prepare thick and thin blood smears. The smears were stained with Leishman's stain and examined'for malarial parasite. Complete blood counts of all the subjects were carried out with Sysmex KX -21 hematology analyzer. Out of 256 patients, 102 [40%] were positive for malaria on microscopy. 80 [31%] had Plasmodium vivax and 22 [9%] had Plasmodium falciparum infection. Thrombocytopenia was found in 66 [82.5%] and 19 [86.45%] patients of Plasmodium vivax and plasmodium falciparum respectively. Thrombocytopenia is a frequent finding in cases of malaria at presentation. Its presence in a patient with acute febrile illness increases the probability of malaria. Replacement therapy is usually not required and platelet count becomes normal after anti malarial treatment