International Journal of Hematology

International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 1, No. 9, September 2010 | pp. 65–72
DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJH/000009

Original Article

Title: Impact of malaria parasitemia on platelet indices and coagulation profiles in children under five years

Names of Authors: J. K. Lawal¹, K. L. Musa², L. M. Ibrahim³

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, Nigeria; ²Department of Haematology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; ³Department of Medical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract: Malaria infection induces severe alterations in hematological parameters, particularly thrombocytopenia and endothelial activation. This study investigated platelet count, mean platelet volume, and prothrombin time in 150 children under five presenting with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria compared to 50 healthy febrile controls without malaria. Parasite density correlated inversely with circulating platelet counts (r = -0.58, P < 0.001). Thrombocytopenia (platelets < 150 × 10⁹/L) occurred in 64.0% of parasitemic children, with severe thrombocytopenia (< 50 × 10⁹/L) noted in 14.6%. Mean platelet volume increased significantly in the infected group (11.2 ± 1.4 fl versus 8.6 ± 0.9 fl in controls), reflecting active peripheral destruction and compensatory bone marrow release of large young platelets. Prothrombin time prolongation exceeding 3 seconds over control values was observed in 22% of high-parasitemia cases. The degree of platelet index variance serves as a reliable adjunctive indicator of disease severity and endothelial stress in pediatric malaria.

Keywords: Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, platelet indices, mean platelet volume, thrombocytopenia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 18, 2010; Revised: July 28, 2010; Accepted: August 14, 2010; Published: September 15, 2010

International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 1, No. 5, May 2010 | pp. 33–40
DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJH/000005

Case Report

Title: Successful management of severe acquired pure red cell aplasia associated with thymoma in an elderly patient

Names of Authors: W. X. Ibrahim¹, Y. Z. Garba², A. A. Lawal³

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Nigeria; ²Department of Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; ³Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract: Acquired pure red cell aplasia is a rare bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by severe normocytic anemia, profound reticulocytopenia, and marked reduction of erythroid precursors. We report a 68-year-old male presenting with severe fatigue, hemoglobin of 4.2 g/dl, and absolute absence of bone marrow erythropoiesis. Chest computed tomography revealed an anterior mediastinal mass measuring 6.2 × 4.8 cm. Histopathological examination post-thymectomy confirmed a type B1 thymoma. Cyclosporine-A therapy combined with low-dose corticosteroids was initiated post-operatively due to persistent reticulocytopenia. Hematologic recovery commenced by week 6, achieving normalization of hemoglobin values (13.5 g/dl) by month 4 of combined immunomodulatory management. The patient remained in complete hematologic remission at the 12-month post-operative follow-up. This case highlights the importance of thorough mediastinal screening in adult-onset pure red cell aplasia and demonstrates that surgical thymectomy paired with tailored immunosuppression yields excellent long-term survival and hematopoietic recovery in elderly patients.

Keywords: Pure red cell aplasia, thymoma, immunosuppression, cyclosporine, anemia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: February 10, 2010; Revised: March 22, 2010; Accepted: April 12, 2010; Published: May 19, 2010