Comparative study of microscopic detection methods and haematological changes in malaria

Quantitative buffy coat (QBC) technique, thick smears, thin smears and conventional buffy coat smears were compared for malarial parasite detection. Of 200 blood samples studied, 70 (35%) samples were positive by QBC technique, 62 (31%) samples by thick smears, 50 (25%) samples by thin smears and only 34 (17%) samples were positive by conventional buffy coat technique. 8 (4%) samples detected by QBC technique alone, had low parasitic index. Haematological analysis was performed on samples positive for malarial parasite. Anaemia was present in 66 (94.28%) samples of which 37 (56.06%) were Plasmodium falciparum, 21 (31.81%) were Plasmodium vivax and 8 (12.12%) had mixed infection (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax). 35 (50%) cases showed normocytic normochromic anaemia. Majority of the samples showed normal total and differential leukocyte count. Thrombocytopenia was found in 49 (70%) samples of which 33 (67.34%) were Plasmodium falciparum.