Utility of automated hematology analyzer scattergrams in the screening of malaria: A cross-sectional study

Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Early diagnosis of malaria remains challenging in routine clinical practice in high-volume, low-resource settings. 
Aim: To study the utility of Automated Hematology Analyser Scattergrams in the screening of Malaria. 
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 55 malaria-positive patients between April 2024 and March 2025. Peripheral blood smear (PBS) served as the gold standard and results were correlated with rapid MP card testing and scattergram findings from a 5-part automated hematology analyzer. 
Results: Plasmodium vivax accounted for 87.3% of infections, while P. falciparum accounted for 9.1%. Abnormal scattergram patterns were observed in 52 of 55 cases, yielding a sensitivity of 94.5%. Scattergram abnormalities correlated significantly with MP card positivity. Thrombocytopenia and anemia were common findings. 
Conclusion: Automated hematology analyser scattergrams demonstrate high sensitivity and can serve as a valuable adjunct screening tool for malaria, especially in resource-limited settings.