Estimation of malaria parasite density using leukocyte counts as an index in adults volenteers of southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Leukocyte counts and screening for malaria parasites were carried out on 252 apparently healthy blood donors attending a transfusion centre in Ibadan. The leukocyte count range for the donors was 2.5-9.6 x 109 /l; the mean leukocyte count being 4.98 x 109 /l. 193 (76.6%) had leukocyte count less than 6.0 x 109 /l. Eighty-one (32.1%) of the 252 blood donors had malaria parasitaemia. There was no significant difference between the mean leukocyte count for Aparasitaemic donors (5.04 x 109 /l) and that for Parasitaemic donors (4.87 x 109 /l). Three methods (A, B and C) (A, based on true leukocyte count, B and C, based on assumed leukocyte counts of 8,000/ul and 6,000/ul respectively) were used to estimate malaria parasite density. The result of the ANOVA showed that there was no significant difference among the means of the three methods. The test for homogeneity showed a significant heterogeneity between methods A and B but homogeneity between methods A and C. Method C is a better substitute for method A than method B in the estimation of parasite density.

Keywords: Adults; Asymptomatic Malaria; Parasite Density; Leukocyte counts.

Ife Journal of Science Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 137-139