Mean Platelet Counts Are Relatively Decreased With Malaria But Relatively Increased With Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma In Uganda, Tanzania, And Kenya

Platelet counts are decreased in Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which is aetiologically linked with endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL). However, the pattern of platelet counts in eBL cases is unknown. We studied platelet counts in 582 eBL cases and 2 248 controls enrolled in a case-control study in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya (2010-2016). Mean platelet counts in controls or eBL cases with or without malaria-infection in controls versus eBLcases were compared using Student's t-test. Odds ratios (ORs) and two-sided 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression, controlling for age, sex, haemoglobin and white blood cell counts. Platelets were decreased with malaria infection in the controls [263 vs. 339 x 10(9) platelets/l, P < 0 center dot 0001; adjusted OR (aOR) = 3 center dot 42, 95% CI: 2 center dot 79-4 center dot 18] and eBL cases (314 vs. 367 x 10(9) platelets/l, P-value = 0 center dot 002; aOR = 2 center dot 36, 95% CI: 1 center dot 49-3 center dot 73). Unexpectedly, platelets were elevated in eBL cases versus controls in overall analyses (mean: 353 vs. 307 x 10(9) platelets/l, P < 0 center dot 0001; aOR = 1 center dot 41; 95% CI: 1 center dot 12-1 center dot 77), and when restricted to malaria-positive (mean 314 vs. 263 x 10(9) platelets/l, P < 0 center dot 0001; OR = 2 center dot 26; 95% CI: 1 center dot 56-3 center dot 27) or malaria-negative (mean 367 vs. 339 x 10(9) platelets/l, P < 0 center dot 001; OR = 1 center dot 46; 95% CI: 1 center dot 17-1 center dot 83) subjects. Platelets were decreased with malaria infection in controls and eBL cases but elevated with eBL.