Background. Malaria remains endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hematological changes that occur have been suggested as potential predictors of malaria. This study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic relevance of hematological parameters in predicting malaria. Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 370 patients with signs and symptoms of malaria was conducted at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, from May, 2012 to February, 2013. Thin and thick blood films were prepared for each patient and stained with Giemsa to aid the detection of malaria parasites. Patients’ hematological parameters were determined. Results. Out of the 370 patients, 61 (16.5%) had malaria. Significant differences in the hematological parameters between P. falciparum malaria parasitemic patients and nonparasitemic patients were only observed in mean (±SD) of the differential monocyte count (10.89？±？6.23% versus 8.98？±？5.02%, ) and the platelet count (172.43 (± 80.41) cells/μl versus 217.82？±？(95.96) cells/μl ). The mean (±SD) values of the red blood cell indices (hemoglobin count, MCV, MCH, and MCHC), the differential neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, and the mean platelet volume (MPV) did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusion. Hematological changes are unreliable laboratory indicators of malaria in acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. 1. Background The last decade has witnessed a massive scale up of malaria prevention efforts, primarily through the use of long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying with insecticides, and an increase in accessibility to malaria diagnostic facilities. These measures, among others, are said to have saved an estimate of more than 735,000 lives in 34 African countries over the last 10 years. Yet malaria remains an enormous public health problem, responsible for 781,000 deaths in a year, most of which are African children of less than five years of age [1]. In Uganda, malaria is still the leading cause of illness and deaths, accounting for 25–40% of all outpatient visits at health care facilities, 20% of hospital admissions, and 15% of inpatient deaths [2]. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus: Plasmodium. P. falciparum, P. ovale, P. vivax, and P. malariae are the most common species, with P. falciparum being the most virulent. Hematological alterations that are thought to characterize malaria may be related to the overt biochemical changes that occur during the asexual stage of the life cycle of the malaria parasite. Entry of P. falciparum into erythrocytes usually leads to a marked
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