Early & Accurate Malaria Detection Help in Saving Lives

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India is one of the 11 highest burden-carrying countries of malaria that has shown significant progress in gaining control over Malaria. However, still, there is a long way to go. 

Over 83% of the total 241 Malaria cases registered worldwide in 2020 were from India. There were over 6.2 million deaths out of all the cases, and the rest recovered. 

Now, the question arises: What is the key to saving more lives, even when Malaria spreads at a similar rate? 

The answer is Timely and Accurate Diagnosis. 

How Timely & Accurate Diagnosis is Helpful to Cure Malaria?

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease that spreads in humans through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles are less common modes of malaria transmission. Five Plasmodium parasite species cause malaria in humans.

Sure, here are five parasites that are known to cause malaria:

1. Plasmodium falciparum

2. Plasmodium vivax

3. Plasmodium malariae

4. Plasmodium ovale

5. Plasmodium knowlesi

These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

 Two out of the five species mentioned above that is

1. P. falciparum and 
2. P. vivax 

Pose the greatest threat to humans. Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite. It is the major cause of severe malaria, which results in multiple organ dysfunction with high parasitemia counts characterized by coma, stupor, metabolic acidosis, pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, and liver dysfunction.

However, with a timely diagnosis and initiating the treatment on time, it is possible to conquer malaria. 

Check Out a Case Study to Know The Importance of Timely Diagnosis in Malaria Treatment

The case study was brought to the notice by Dr. Sonal Gupta, M.D. Pathologist Redcliffe Labs, Mumbai. 

Case Report

A 43-year-old male with no significant medical history was admitted to the emergency ward of a hospital in Mumbai. The symptoms observed in him were:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Breathlessness, and
• Significant loss of appetite

The doctors in the hospital initially estimated it as a case of viral fever. However, considering the scenario in Mumbai during Monsoon and with the increasing cases of dengue and malaria, doctors decided not to take any risk.

The clinician immediately recommended a comprehensive health checkup. 

The samples were collected and shared with Redcliffe Labs for a thorough analysis. During the diagnosis, the patient's reports revealed the following numbers:

Hematological parameters were: Hb- 10.6 g/dl, total leukocyte count- 3200/cumm, platelet count - 72000/cumm, and ESR - 48 mm/hr. 

Now, the pathologists and lab technicians were highly suspicious about malaria. So, they took the further steps of checking the thick & thin smear. 

Soon, the reports revealed that the patient tested positive for Plasmodium Falciparum, A deadly Malaria-causing parasite.

The Next Steps:

Without delay, the reports were conveyed to the doctors. The clinicians altered the treatment immediately to antimalarial treatment. 

However, with a timely and accurate diagnosis, the patient was soon out of risk. With effective treatment, the patient recovered within two weeks.