Frequency of mixed plasmodium infections of malaria reported at PMCH Nawabshah a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objective: To find out the frequency of Mixed Plasmodium Infections of Malaria at tertiary care Hospital.

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on indoor and outdoor patients of medical department of Peoples Medical University Hospital Nawabshah, during January 2017 to December 2017. Complete medical history and clinical examination were done.  Blood sample of each patient for malaria parasite and plasmodium type were collected and sent to the Hospital diagnostic laboratory to detect the incidence of mixed malaria infections by using thick and thin Geimsa stains and rapid diagnostic test (ICT). All the data was recorded in the proforma.

Frequency and percentage were calculated for categorical variables. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for numerical variables. Stratification with respect to the age and gender was done. Chi-square test was applied and p-value <0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: A total of 2260 cases of suspected malaria were recruited, out of them 450 cases were positive for malaria, their mean age was 38.33+13.17years, 53.8% were males and 46.2% were females. Combined malaria infection was observed in 11.78 % of the subjects by malaria ICT antigen test. There was no significant association of mixed plasmodium species according to age and gender; p-values were quite insignificant.

Conclusion: Combined malaria infection was observed 11.78% by malaria ICT antigen test. Early diagnosis and management is crucial to save the lives in subjects suffering from mixed malaria infection.