Plasmodium Falciparum Versus Plasmodium Vivax: Which Is a Lesser Evil?

Authors

  • Chirag C Rathod GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Shubhangi V Deshpande GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Himanshu M Rana GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Varsha Y Godbole GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Amul Patel GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Vaibhav Patel GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Dimple Darad GMERS Medical College, Gotri, vadodara
  • Maulik Panchal B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad

Keywords:

P. falciparum malaria, P. vivax malaria, Leucopenia, Thrombocytopenia, Clinico-pathological profile

Abstract

Background: With changing spectrum, different grades of biochemical & haematological changes generally found to be more severe with p. falciparum, now frequently seen with p. vivax. Present study intends to find species specific differences in diseases progression & complications.

Methodology: A retrospective study of Malaria-patients admitted at GMERS Medical College & Hospital, Vadodara from january-2011to december-2011 was done. p. falciparum, P. Vivax were diagnosed by demonstrating asexual forms of parasites in peripheral blood smear, haematological & biochemical tests were analyzed.

Results: Out of 1093 cases, 781 were slide positive, remaining 312 were treated on clinical-ground .Of 781 cases, 443 (56%) p. falciparum, 327 (42%) P. Vivax and 11(2%) were mixed Infection. Male to female ratio was 1.8:1&0.8:1 in p. falciparum & P. vivax, respectively. Fever, Prodroms, GI symptoms, Liver -dysfunction (51%vs47%), Renal- dysfunction (52%vs48%) were equally frequent; whereas Hemolysis, Bleeding tendency, Breathlessness and altered sensorium were more in p. falciparum. Anemia (56%), Thrombocytopenia (60%), Pancytopenia (54%), Hemolysis (65%) was more frequent in p. falciparum. Leucopenia (54%) was more frequent in p. Vivax.

Conclusion: In contrast to earlier studies, which have proven p. falciparum to be more fatal & complicated, it was noted in present study that P. Vivax species was frequent cause of overall slide-positive cases causing complications head to head with p. falciparum. Anemia, Hepato-renal dysfunctions were equally frequent, nonfatal leucopenia more in p. Vivax, while hemolysis and thrombocytopenia was more in p. falciparum. If ignored complications can alter clinical course & be equally fatal in p. vivax malaria. Hence p. vivax can no more be considered as benign infection and can be equally lethal.

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Published

2012-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Rathod CC, Deshpande SV, Rana HM, Godbole VY, Patel A, Patel V, Darad D, Panchal M. Plasmodium Falciparum Versus Plasmodium Vivax: Which Is a Lesser Evil?. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2012 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];3(03):541-7. Available from: https://www.njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/1761

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Original Research Articles