Authors: Ladu AI, Yakubu YM, Kadaura MU, Mursal A, Abba AM, Shettima AB, Baba AS, Sadiq SB
Background: Majority of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients reside in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is also endemic and a frequent cause of hospitalization and poor outcome. Although commonly practiced, the value of life-long antimalaria prophylaxis for SCA patients residing in endemic region has been a subject of concern and academic discourse.
Aims: To determine the prevalence of malaria parasitemia in asymptomatic SCA patients and the impact of proguanil prophylaxis.
Methods: Patients with steady-state homozygous sickle cell anaemia (i.e HbSS) were studied at the haematology clinic of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (North Eastern Nigeria) from November to December 2018. Malaria parasite density was determined using Giemsa-stained thick blood film adhering to standard quality control procedure.
Results: Seventy-two HbSS patients and 50 HbAA controls were studied. The prevalence of malaria parasitemia was similar between the HbSS patients (53.4%) and controls (44%) (p=0.472). Presence of malaria parasitemia was not related to frequency of antimalaria prophylaxis amongst the HbSS subjects (p=0.392). The intensity of malaria parasitemia amongst HbSS patients’ was similar.
Conclusion: Malaria parasitemia did not differ between patient with steady-state HbSS receiving proguanil prophylaxis and healthy control. Malaria prophylaxis with proguanil did not significantly affect the intensity of malaria parasitemia in patients with HbSS.
View/Download pdf