Plasmodium falciparum Induces Significant Changes in Haematological Profile of Patients in Parts of Ondo State, South West Nigeria
Olubunmi Adekemi Olalekan1, Titus Adeniyi Olusi2, and Iyabo Adepeju Simon-Oke2
1Microbiology Unit, Biological Sciences Department, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
2Parasitology and Public Health Unit, Biology Department, School of Life Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Citation: Olalekan OA, Olusi TA, Simon-Oke IA (2026) Plasmodium falciparum Induces Significant Changes in Haematological Profile of Patients in Parts of Ondo State, South West Nigeria. SciTech Immuno-Microbiology 2026.
Received: January 19, 2026 Accepted: January 20, 2026 Published: January 20, 2026
Abstract
Malaria parasite induces significant devastating changes in blood cell components causing enormous destruction of red blood cells. This study seeks to investigate the various haematological changes that could result from falciparum malaria infection in man. Haematological parameters of out-patients visiting selected health facilities in Akure North and South Local Government Areas in Ondo State from January to October 2022 were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Venous blood samples were collected in EDTA (ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid) and plain bottles from febrile patients visiting these hospitals and were examined for different haematological parameters. Thick and thin blood smears were made for all enrolled patients and stained smears were examined microscopically for Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. One thousand four hundred and three (1403) patients were enrolled in this study, this was made up of 369 (26.3%) males and 1034 (73.7%) females. Findings indicate that the following parameters: Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Neutrophil count, Lymphocyte count and Neutrophils Lymphocyte Count Ratio (NLCR were significantly associated with malaria diagnosis as they were either significantly increased or reduced as a result of P. falciparum infection. The average PCV of patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum(32.22 %)were significantly (P<.001) lower than uninfected patients (35.46 %). Also mean Lymphocytes count obtained from infected patients (40.29%) was significantly (P<.001) lower than uninfected (46.06%). An opposite trend was however observed in the neutrophil counts, as infected patients (58.54%) recorded significantly (P<.001) higher neutrophil counts than uninfected patients (52.58%). Malaria induces notable significant alterations in some of the haematological parameters evaluated in the study, patients with microscopic confirmation of malaria parasites showed significant decrease in the PCV and lymphocytes levels, while a significant increase in neutrophil count was recorded in response to Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Keywords: Malaria, Parasite, Blood, Packed Cell Volume, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes
