Volume : 6, Issue : 6, June - 2017

CLINICAL PROFILE AND EFFICACY OF QUANTITATIVE BUFFY COAT, MALARIA RAPID ANTIGEN TEST AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR EXAMINATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA CASES IN CHILDREN ADMITTED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. G. Ravindranath, Dr. M Srinivasa Reddy, Dr. A Sravani, Dr. N. Partha Sarathy,

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;BACKGROUND: Malaria is of overwhelming importance in the developing world today, with an estimated 300 to 500 million cases and more than 1 million deaths each year. Presently, about two million cases and a thousand deaths due to malaria are reported annually in India. Present study was undertaken to study clinical profile of malaria and evaluate efficacy of QBC, Rapid malarial antigen test and Peripheral blood smear in diagnosis of malaria in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of ASRAM Hospital, Eluru, over a period of 2 years from August 2011 to July 2013.RESULTS: Out of 105 malaria cases 58(55.3%) belong to 6 years &ndash; 10 years age group followed by 26(24.7%) in 10-14 years ,17(16.2%) 1 year &ndash; 5years and 4(3.8%) in &lt; 1 year age group. 58 were males accounting for 55.2%&nbsp; and 47 were&nbsp; females accounting for 44.8%.Out of 105 malaria cases, severe malaria constitutes 66 cases (62.9%) cases and uncomplicated malaria constitutes 39(37.1%) cases.All 3 tests are positive in 64 cases. Among 2 test combination &ndash; 20 cases positive for both antigen test + QBC , 8 cases for antigen test + peripheral smear and 3 cases for peripheral smear + QBC. Among single test positive &ndash; antigen test only positive in 5 cases, peripheral smear only in 4 cases and QBC only in 1 cases.CONCLUSION: Malaria is the most common serious parasitic disease affecting human beings. Major eeding season for vector is rainy season, which coincides with peak incidence of malaria transmission. Vector control measures should be strengthened during this period to decrease malarial incidence.</p>