The Evaluation of the Pathogenic Threshold in Regions With High Permanent Transmission of Malaria, as Well as the Measurement of Malaria-Related Pneumonia

Background: Epidemiological surveys in malaria-endemic regions with permanent transmission require a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method to evaluate parasitemia. Objective: To develop and validate a method for measuring parasite density using micro-hematocrit red blood cell counts on smears. Methods: Procedure: The parasite density was measured by counting the number of red blood cells in micro-hematocrit smears. Microscopy: Parasitemia was assessed by reading 75 to 100 microscopic fields at 100x magnification. Statistical Analysis: The formula for determining parasitemia was statistically justified and explained. Results: Participants: 1,163 healthy individuals and 534 consultants were included. Age Groups: Analysis was conducted across different age groups. Thresholds for Harmful Parasitemia: Children: Harmful parasitemia threshold ranged between 3,000 and 6,000 trophozoites per milliliter of blood. Adults: Threshold was lower than 1,000 trophozoites per milliliter of blood. Conclusion: The method developed for evaluating parasitemia is effective for epidemiological surveys in malaria-endemic regions. Maintaining the diagnosis of malaria at the established parasitemia thresholds is crucial to prevent morbidity.