CASE REPORT AND CLINICAL DATABASED RESEARCH STUDY ON MALARIA

Abstract

Malaria is endemic in Gujarat and the adjoining areas like many other parts of the India. Depending upon the environmental conditions different species of malarial parasite are found in different areas. The present study was planned to see the pattern of malarial infection diagnosed at B.J. Desai Trust Hospital, Kheda, Gujarat

Methods:

Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films of indoor and outdoor febrile patients sent to the laboratory of B.J. Desai Trust Hospital, Kheda, Gujarat with a suspicion of malaria, were examined. Thick film was examined for the diagnosis of malaria while thin films were seen to know the species.

Results:

Out of 1994 patients screened, 145 (7.2%) were found infected. Plasmodium vivax was seen in the majority (72.47.2%). Plasmodium falciparum was the second common species detected in 24.1 % cases. Mixed infection was seen in 3.44% cases while Plasmodium malariae and ovale was not seen in any patient.

Conclusion:

Plasmodium vivax was the commonest type of malaria diagnosed at Kheda District in Gujarat, during 2008- 2009.

Introduction

Malaria has been a problem in India for centuries. Details of this disease can be found even in the ancient Indian medical literature like the ‘Charaka Samhita’. In the 30's there was no aspect of life in the country that was not affected by malaria. But after then the incidence of malaria in India are given below.

Incidence of malaria in India (B.S. Kakkilaya, 2009)

Material and Methods

Blood specimens from indoor and outdoor, male and female patients of all ages, sent to the laboratory of B.J. Desai Trust Hospital, Kheda, Gujarat, were studied. Patients referred from other hospitals were also included in the study. Venous blood sample of all the febrile patients with a suspicion of malaria was examined after making thick and thin films. Giemsa stained blood films were seen by the same pathologist to minimize interobserver difference. The slides were seen under oil immersion lens. Thick slides were used for the diagnosis of malaria. Thin slides were examined to identify the species of malarial parasite (Garcia, L.S. 2001, NCCLS, 2000).

Results

A total of 1994 cases were screened. One hundred and forty five patients (7.27 %) were found infected [Table 1].

Table 1.

Disease Index

Plasmodium vivax was seen in 72.4% cases and plasmodium falciparum in 24.13 % cases, mixed infection was seen in about 3.44% cases [Table 2].

Table 2.

Break up of Case According to species (n=145)

No case of plasmodium malariae or ovale was found in our study. Males outnumbered females with male to female ratio of 1.23:1 [Table 3].

Table 3.

Gender wise Distribution (n==145)

In our study indoor/outdoor Status was 105 (71.41%) and 40 (27.58) respectively [Table 4].

Table 4.

Distribution according to indoor/outdoor Status (n=145)

Malaria was more frequent in pediatric age group constituting about half of the cases. In adults the infection rate was comparatively more in age group 45 to 80 years constituting about 30.3% cases. 72% were inpatients [Figure 1, Table 5].

Figure 1.

% of patient and number of cases distribution according to age

Table 5.

Age Distribution (n==145)

Discussion and Conclusion

Malaria is an important public health in our country. It is global threat to health and socioeconomic development. It affects about 300 million people and cause a million deaths per year world wide (Muhammad Idris et al, 2007). Earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment is crucial for prevention its complications. It affects all the age groups and both male and female gender. In this study plasmodium vivax and falciferum were the commonest type of parasites detected. Malaria was more frequent in pediatric age group constituting about half of the cases and more in age group 45 to 80 years.