Quantitative evaluation of parasitemia in tropical malaria
Glazunova, Z.I.; Filippov, A.M.; Goronenkova, O.N.
Laboratornoe Delo 1988(8): 58-61
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-6748 PMID: 2462123 Document Number: 323194
Parasitaemia levels were evaluated in 37 patients with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum including 19 indigenous to endemic areas (group 1) and 18 visitors to endemic areas (group 2). The numbers of parasites/1000 leukocytes in thick smears, stained by the Romanowski technique, were counted before and after treatment with Delagyl (chloroquine) at 1500 mg in 3 days. Contrary to expectation, parasitaemia levels were higher in group 1 than in group 2. This may be due to the chloroquine prophylaxis taken by individuals in group 2 which was not sufficient to prevent infection but did mitigate parasitaemia. Despite higher initial parasitaemias, the parasites were cleared more rapidly in group 1 than in group 2.