Study on the Importance of Reticulocyte Count in Malaria Diagnosis at Kilifi County Referral Hospital

Malaria parasite infection is one of the leading cause of death in children and adults in this country the disease is more prevalent in the Nyanza and the Coastal regions of Kenya and has been reported that 30 - 50 percent of all out patients and 20% of all admissions in our health facilities are due to the disease. Due to its intercellular habitation which leads to infected cells being destroyed in the reticuloendothelial system leading to anaemia, a compensatory process by reticuloendothelial system to replace destroyed cells results in the haemopoetic sites to release reticulocytes. The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between malaria parasite infection and reticulocytosis in all children and adult populations diagnosed positive for malaria parasite by Giemsa staining between ages 3months and 45 years. The blood samples from sample population (2ml) were tested for normal or high values of reticulocytes by Methylene blue (supravital) staining methods and microscopic examination of thin blood films. The data was analyzed statistically by descriptive methods using measures of dispersion such as central tendency, frequency tables, bar charts and graphs and percentile to establish this relationship. In the study, it was found that severe malaria parasite infection leads to marked reticulocytosis. This phenomenon was observed more in children than in any other age groups and that according to sex, males were mostly affected than the females. Malaria parasite infection therefore conclusively leads to reticulocytosis across the sexes, age and the degree of parasitaemia determines the severity of reticulocytosis. Despite increased workload and the cost of doing this test, it should be included as a baseline test to all patients diagnosed with malaria infection in endemic areas. Frequent anti malaria campaigns should be carried out to minimize childhood deaths which may result to malaria complications. Research finding will be used to assist clinicians at Kilifi County Referral Hospital in management and monitoring of malaria.