Malaria Diagnosis Using Automated Analysers: A Boon for Hematopathologists in Endemic Areas
Background: Haematological abnormalities are common in acute febrile tropical illnesses. Malaria is a major health problem in tropics. In endemic areas especially in the post monsoon season, it is not practical to manually screen all peripheral blood films (PBF) for malarial parasite. Automated...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2015-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/6696/15108_CE(Ra1)_F(GH)_PF1(PAK)_PFA(AK)_PF2(PAG).pdf |
| Summary: | Background: Haematological abnormalities are common in
acute febrile tropical illnesses. Malaria is a major health problem
in tropics. In endemic areas especially in the post monsoon
season, it is not practical to manually screen all peripheral blood
films (PBF) for malarial parasite. Automated analysers offer
rapid, sensitive and cost effective screening of all samples.
Aim: The study was done to evaluate the usefulness of automated
cell counters analysing their histograms, scatter-grams and the
flaggings generated in malaria positive and negative cases.
The comparison of other haematological parameters were
also studied which could help to identify malaria parasite in
peripheral blood smear.
Materials and Methods: The blood samples were analysed
using Beckman coulter LH-750. The abnormal scatter grams and
additional peaks in WBC histograms were observed diligently &
compared with normal controls. Haematological abnormalities
were also evaluated.
Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was done by using
software Epi-Info version 7.1.4 freely available from CDC website.
Fisher exact test was applied to calculate the p-value and value
< 0.05 was considered as significant. Final identification of
malarial parasite species was done independently by peripheral
blood smear examination by two pathologists.
Results: Of all the 200 cases evaluated abnormal scatter grams
were observed in all the cases of malaria while abnormal WBC
histogram peaks were noted in 96% cases demonstrating a
peak at the threshold of the histogram. The difference between
number of slides positive for abnormal WBC scatter gram
and abnormal WBC histogram peaks were statistically highly
significant (p=0.007). So abnormal WBC scatter gram can better
give idea of malarial parasite presence. Of the haematological
parameters thrombocytopenia (92% cases) emerged as the
strongest predictor of malaria.
Conclusion: It is recommended for haematopathologists to
review the haematological data and the scatter plots on the
analyser along with peripheral blood smear examination. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |