An Investigation of the Haematological Alterations Associated with Malaria-Infected Adults in Aba, South Eastern Nigeria

This study was designed to determine the haematological alterations associated with male and female malaria patients. Thick and thin Giemsa stained blood films were made on a slide from 2ml of venous 100 blood samples collected and viewed under a light microscope. Forty (40) samples were selected by a simple random sampling of patients aged between 21 to 60 years, made up of four experimental groups which included ten malaria positive males (MPM), ten malaria negative males (MNM), ten malaria positive females (MPF) and ten malaria negative females (MNF). The haematological parameters were evaluated using Sysmex KX-21N automated haematology analyzer. The result of the hematological alterations associated with male malaria patients showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the mean value of WBC of the malaria positive male patients compared to the control and an insignificant increase in the HCT whereas there was significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean values of HGB, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC and PLT of malaria positive male patients compared to the control. Similarly, the results of the female patients showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean values of HCT, HGB, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC and PLT of malaria positive female patients compared to the control but a significant increase in WBC. From the finding of this study, it can be concluded that malaria may lead to anaemia and thrombocytopenia in both males and females but malaria may not lead to leucopenia and immune deficiency in both males and females. Further studies should be carried out to pinpoint the findings of this study to pursue it for its clinical relevance in the diagnosis and management malaria. If the relationship between malaria and haematological parameters are clearly established, it might be helpful to the development of a malaria vaccine in the nearest future.