During paroxysm, there may be transient leucocytosis. Leucopenia develops subsequently with a relative increase in large mononuclear cells. The various types of leukocytes like neutrophil, basophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte work together in an integrated system to achieve this. Each type performs different functions that are necessary for a total integrated and effective defense. In some infectious processes, malaria is accompanied by neutropenia which, on occasion may be profound. Manifestations of organ-related syndromes such as cerebral and choleric malaria are at least in parts, due to micro vascular and perhaps chemical changes in the leukoerythroblastic picture with relative eosinophilia in the weeks following the acute infection. The platelet count is reduced in all acute malaria but thrombocytopenia is profound in only some cases. There is a progressive normochromic, microcytic anaemia in severe cases with PCV value of less than 15% (<15%) or haemglobin concentration value of less than 5 g/dl (<5 g/dl) in the presence of parasitaemia of more than 10,000/uL. Aneamia (microcytic) in falciparium malaria is due mainly to mechanical destruction of parasitized red cells as well as spleenic clearance of parasitized and defective erythrocytes. In a small number of patients, an immune destruction of red cells may occur. In black-water fever complication, there is a rare acute condition in which there is rapid and massive intravascular haemolysis of both parasitized and non-parasitized red cells, resulting in haemoglobinaemia, haemoglobinuria and fall in haemoglobin. The patient has a low white blood cell count in hyper-reactive malaria splenomegaly of Falciparium malaria. In evaluating the capacity of the individual to resist the attack of malaria, the assessment of certain haematological parameters becomes important.

Citation: Francis U, Isaac Z, Yakubu A, Enosakhare A, Felix E (2014) Haematological Parameters of Malaria Infected Patients in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. J Hematol Thrombo Dis 2:171.

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