Method for detecting a plasmodium infection

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting a plasmodium infection in a patient blood sample, wherein a differential analysis of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes in the sample is performed, and the distribution of the cell volume and the cell density, the number of thrombocytes in the sample, and the distribution of the cell density of the thrombocytes in the sample is determined.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting an indication of a possible  plasmodium  infection in a patient blood sample, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) obtaining a blood sample from a patient suspected of having a possible  plasmodium  infection;   b) performing a differential analysis of polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes in the sample and determining a distribution of cell volume and cell density by scattered light measurement using a hematology system;   c) coloring the neutrophil granulocytes and determining the volume distribution of the colored neutrophil granulocytes;   d) determining a number of thrombocytes in the sample by scattered light measurement using a hematology system;   e) determining a distribution of cell density of the thrombocytes in the sample by scattered light measurement using a hematology system;   f) obtaining sample parameters from the values determined in steps b)-d), wherein the sample parameters include the number of thrombocytes in the blood sample (PLT), the distribution of cell density of the thrombocytes in the blood sample (MPC), and the distribution of cell density of polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes in the blood sample (PMNx);   g) evaluating the parameters in relation to a prespecified criterion, wherein, if the criterion is fulfilled, presuming a possible  plasmodium  infection is present, and wherein the criterion is expressed as (PLT×MPC)/100<47 and PMNx+0.1635×(PLT×MPC)/100<33; and   h) diagnosing a patient as being possibly infected with  plasmodium  if the patient blood sample indicates the presence of a possible  plasmodium  infection.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the parameters are determined by scattered light measurements. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the volume distribution of the neutrophil granulocytes is additionally determined after a coloring. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein values of the parameters determined in b), c) d), and e) being below previously determined criterion are predicative of the presence of a possible  plasmodium  infection.