Plasmodium falciparum Induces Significant Changes in Haematological Profile of Patients in Parts of Ondo State, South West Nigeria

Malaria parasite induces significant devastating changes in blood cell components causing enormous destruction of red blood cells. This study seeks to investigate the various haematological changes that could result from falciparum malaria infection in man. Haematological parameters of out-patients visiting selected health facilities in Akure North and South Local Government Areas in Ondo State from January to October 2022 were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Venous blood samples were collected in EDTA (ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid) and plain bottles from febrile patients visiting these hospitals and were examined for different haematological parameters. Thick and thin blood smears were made for all enrolled patients and stained smears were examined microscopically for Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. One thousand four hundred and three (1403) patients were enrolled in this study, this was made up of 369 (26.3%) males and 1034 (73.7%) females. Findings indicate the following parameters: Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Neutrophil counts and Lymphocyte counts were significantly associated with malaria diagnosis as they were either significantly increased or reduced as a result of P. falciparum infection. The average PCV of patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum (32.22 %) was significantly (P <.001) lower than uninfected patients (35.46 %). Also mean Lymphocytes count obtained from infected patients (40.29%) was significantly (P <.001) lower than uninfected (46.06%). An opposite trend was however observed in the neutrophil counts, as infected patients (58.54%) recorded significantly (P <.001) higher neutrophil counts than uninfected patients (52.58%). Malaria induced notable significant alterations in some of the haematological parameters evaluated in the study, patients with microscopic confirmation of malaria parasites showed significant decrease in the PCV and lymphocytes levels, while a significant increase in neutrophil count was recorded in response to Plasmodium falciparum malaria.