PREVALENCE OF MALARIAL PARASITE AND STUDY OF VARIOUS BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT IN POPULATION OF DISTRICT BANNU

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health concern in Pakistan, with Plasmodium vivax predominating in most endemic areas. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malaria and assess associated hematological, biochemical, and electrolyte alterations among patients in District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 2,500 blood samples were collected from clinically suspected cases and examined by both microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). All positive cases (100%) were identified as P. vivax monoinfections, with no detection of P. falciparum or mixed species. Hematological analysis revealed significant anemia (mean Hb: 9.0 g/dl), leucopenia (mean WBC: 4,100 cells/ml), and marked thrombocytopenia (mean platelets: 14,300 cells/mm²) prior to treatment, with partial recovery post-treatment. Biochemical profiling demonstrated hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and dyslipidemia characterized by reduced total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels. Liver enzymes (ALT, AST) were mildly elevated, while electrolyte analysis indicated hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia before treatment, with improvement following therapy. These findings highlight that P. vivax infection in the study area is associated with substantial hematological and metabolic disturbances, emphasizing the need for timely diagnosis, appropriate management, and strengthened malaria control strategies in endemic regions.