R. Selvam et G. Baskaran, HEMATOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS IN RECURRENT PLASMODIUM-VIVAX INFECTED PATIENTS, Japanese Journal of Medical Science & Biology, 49(4), 1996, pp. 151-165
The hematological parameters were assayed in Plasmodium vivax patients
with only one infection, two infections, three infections and more th
an three malarial. infections during a period of six months. A steady
fall in the levels of hemoglobin as well as packed cell volume (PCV) l
evel was observed with increasing number of infections. The malarial p
atients showed a progressive decrease in RBC level with increasing num
ber of attacks. The decrease in the hematological indices was statisti
cally significant at all levels of parasitemia. There was a marked inc
rease in the osmotic fragility of the malarial erythrocytes when compa
red to that of controls. During repeated malarial attacks, significant
decrease in MCH (p<0.05) and MCHC (p<0.01) and increase in the MCV le
vel (p<0.05) and Heinz body formation (p<0.001) were observed. Parasit
e density significantly influenced the fragility of the erythrocytes,
Heinz body formation, MCV, MCH and MCHC levels. Thus, the erythrocytes
of the patients repeatedly infected with Plasmodium vivax parasite ar
e subjected to structural and functional impairment, ultimately culmin
ating in anemia.