Comparing Haemozoin count and Parasitaemia in the Prognosis of severe Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Children and non-immune adults in Kano-Nigeria

Abstract

This study compared the value of pigment containing leucocytes (neutrophils and monocytes) counts and the malaria parasite density in the prognosis of severe malaria on four hundred and twenty (420) patients with clinical evidence of severe malaria in Kano-Nigeria. Three clinical groups comprising patients with impaired consciousness, patients with cerebral malaria and those with severe anaemia were identified. Samples were analysed for Malaria parasitemia and pigment count Giemsa’s thick and Leishman’s thin film respectively. Patients with impaired consciousness (n=217) recorded the highest malaria pigment count of 342.86 (±177.34) monocytes pigments/microliter. The highest parasite count of 234,962 (±264.5) per microliter was recorded among the cerebral malaria group. Patients with severe malaria and anaemia had the least neutrophils pigment and parasite counts of 219.0 (±140.96)/microliter and 212,232(±12.61)/microliter respectively. A linear relationship between the malaria parasite count and the Intraneutrophilic malaria pigment count in severe malaria was demonstrated. Pigment count proved a higher prognostic value in severe malaria compared to Parasitaemia.

Keywords: Haemozoin, Plasmodium falciparum, Parasitaemia, Malaria