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Thrombocytopenia Due to Plasmodium falciparum Infection and Its Association with Clinical Symptoms, Wad Medani Teaching Hospital, Sudan

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Alsiddig Ebraheem

    (Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira, Sudan)

  • Yosra Hamad Abdelrahim

    (Ministry of Health, Gezira State, Sudan)

  • Abdalla Abdelkarem Gibreel

    (Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira, Sudan)

  • Abubakr Ali Elamin MohamedAhmed

    (Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia)

  • Bakri Yousif Mohamed Nour

    (Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan)

  • Abdualmoniem Omer Abdalla

    (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Kassala, Sudan)

  • Hani Mohamed Ahmed

    (University of Gezira, Sudan)

  • Elhadi Abdalla Ahmed

    (Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan)

Abstract

Background: Malaria is an endemic disease in Sudan, particularly in Gezira State. Malaria causes a significant decrease in the number of platelets in patients. This deficiency can be studied by considering clinical symptoms and parasite levels. This is a study of thrombocytopenia due to Plasmodium falciparum infection and its association with clinical symptoms in Gezira State, Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at Wad Medani Teaching Hospital among Plasmodium falciparum-infected partic- ipants. Malaria was examined using thick and thin blood film of Giemsa staining preparations. Platelet count, WBC count, and hemoglobin level were measured by an automated blood analyzer (Sysmex). Parasitemia levels were calculated according to plus criteria as (+), (++), (+++), and (++++). Results: In total, 200 Plasmodium falciparum patients were enrolled. The most commonly observed malaria symptoms were fever, headache, and vomiting, with rates of 94 (188/200), 76% (152/200), and 60.5% (121/200), respectively. In most cases, 80.5% (161/200) were categorized as level (+) of parasitemia. Regarding the hematological investigations, decreased hemoglobin levels were detected in 22% (44/200) cases. Leucopenia and leucocytosis were reported in 8% (16/200) and 20% (40/200) of patients, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was observed among 51% (102/200) of studied patients and categorized as mild 29.5 (59/200), moderate 14% (28/200), and severe 7.5% (15/200). Thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with joint pain (0.016) and skin pallor (0.030). Also, platelet count was significantly associated with TWBCs (p = 0.001) count, while no association was observed between platelet count and degree of parasitemia. Conclusion: Despite the frequency of low platelet counts due to Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the current study, there were no severe consequences for patients, such as bleeding. The significant association between thrombo- cytopenia and malaria symptoms, such as joint pain and skin pallor, can be studied in more detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Alsiddig Ebraheem & Yosra Hamad Abdelrahim & Abdalla Abdelkarem Gibreel & Abubakr Ali Elamin MohamedAhmed & Bakri Yousif Mohamed Nour & Abdualmoniem Omer Abdalla & Hani Mohamed Ahmed & Elhadi Ab, 2025. "Thrombocytopenia Due to Plasmodium falciparum Infection and Its Association with Clinical Symptoms, Wad Medani Teaching Hospital, Sudan," European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, European Open Science, vol. 7(1), pages 22-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:epw:ejmed0:v:7:y:2025:i:1:id:42229
    DOI: 10.24018/ejmed.2025.7.1.2229
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