The Effects of Plasmodium Falciparum Parasitaemia on Liver Synthetic Fidelity and Oxidative Stress Markers

Abstract

Malaria has for century’s defiled eradication due to pathophysiological and environmental complexities. The study was aimed at revealing the effect of malaria parasitaemia on hepatic synthetic fidelity and oxidative stress markers individually and synergistically. A total of five hundred subjects constituted the sample size, out of which two hundred comprised the control and three hundred the test group with grades of parasitaemia. Serum aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), iron, malonaldehyde and glutathione were analysed using WHO approved methods. The results obtained indicated a significant increase (p<0.05) in AST, ALT, malonaldehyde, and glutathione levels in malaria infected subjects when compared to the control group respectively. The result further showed a significant decrease (p<0.01) in serum iron concentration in malaria infected groups when compared to the control. In conclusion, malaria infection has a significant impact on the hepatic synthetic capacity and oxidative indicators.  It is suggested that these observed biochemical change should be considered when malaria infected individuals are treated and managed.