Effects of Malaria Parasite Density on Blood Cell Parameters in Sudanese Patients with Malaria

Introduction: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sudan. Symptomatic malaria accounts for 20-40% of outpatient clinic visits and 30% of hospital admissions. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the parasites that cause malaria in Sudan, affecting the blood components. This study aims to investigate the effects of malaria parasite species (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax) and density on blood cell parameters in Sudanese malaria patients. Methods: Sixty malaria patients from the state of Khartoum were enrolled. Microscopy was used as the gold standard method for malaria diagnosis. Parasite counts were measured using standard methods. A complete blood count was performed for all patients using a Sysmex machine. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Of the 60 confirmed malaria patients, 36 (60%) were diagnosed with P. falciparum, while 24 cases (40%) were found to be P. vivax, as determined by microscopy. Parasite density was recorded in crosses; there was no significant association with malaria parasite species (P=0.282). For the blood parameters measured, the mean for MCH was 29. 28 pg in P. vivax, while for P. falciparum, it was 27. 48 pg. For MCHC, the means were 32. 53 g/dl for P. vivax and 31. 36 g/dl for P. falciparum. Regarding platelet counts, the mean was 225. 91 cells/mm³ for P. vivax, while it was 155. 58 cells/mm³ for P. falciparum (thrombocytopenia). For RDW, the mean was 11. 80% in P. vivax, while for P. falciparum, it was 13. 28%. The mean of neutrophils in P. vivax was 59. 90%, while for P. falciparum, the mean was 71. 73%. The mean lymphocyte count was 29. 90% in P. vivax, while in P. falciparum, it was 20. 45%. All these variables were significantly associated with malaria parasite species (P value=0.025; P=0.050; P=0.001; P=0.000; P=0.001; P=0.03) respectively. Size, age, and Cytoplasm were significantly associated with malaria parasites (P=0.000; P=0.000; P=0.000), respectively. Conclusion: The results confirm that P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites profoundly affect blood cell parameters, age, Cytoplasm, and Size of RBC.