Background: Malaria is a major health problem in India even today with increased morbidity and mortality. Among the various types of malaria, Plasmodium vivax seems to be the most prevalent one. This study was undertaken to find out the effect of malaria on the platelet count of the patients.

Aims: The aim of this study is to note the changes in platelet count that can be found in the respective cases of plasmodium vivax malaria.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 5 years which included 311 cases of Plasmodium vivax.  Their platelet count was measured manually by a haemocytometer.

Results: It has been found that in 311 cases, the level of platelet varies in various samples. The most common manifestation was thrombocytopenia. Out of 311 patients, 271 were found to have a low platelet count. The rest however had platelet count within normal range.

Conclusion: Though malaria is predominantly a disease affecting the red blood cells in a human body, we see that the platelet count is also altered in the disease. The commonest presentation being thrombocytopenia. So, we can conclude that in endemic region, malaria is usually associated with thrombocytopenia.

Keywords: Plasmodium vivax, thrombocytopenia, malaria.

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Achintya Bhattacharyya

Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre