A STUDY OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PATIENTS WITH P. VIVAX MALARIA.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is commonly associated with various degrees of haematological complications most frequently with anaemia and thrombocytopenia. However there are contrasting reports about frequency of thrombocytopenia in P. vivax infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients were included in the study. The details of the patients history along with their clinical features, laboratory reports were recorded in a standard proforma. Sample of venous blood were collected for haematological examination like Haemoglobin, total and differential count and platelet count, which was done under automated cell counter. RESULTS: Out of 140, there were 119(85%) patients who had thrombocytopenia, of them 75(54%) patients had mild, 38(27%) patients had moderate and 6(4%) patients had severe thrombocytopenia., 30(21%) out of 140 patients had leucopenia. Significant inverse association was seen between degree of parasitemia and platelet count. CONCLUSION: Various theories have been postulated for the cause of thrombocytopenia in P. Vivax infection but none of them is conclusive. Frequency or severity of thrombocytopenia doesn't appear to be any particular strain of plasmodium infection.