A Study Correlating the Derangement of Liver Function Tests in Vivax and Falciparum Malaria

Abstract

Objectives: Malaria has been and is still the cause of human morbidity and mortality. Although,the disease has been eradicated in most temperate zones,it continues to be endemic through out the tropics and subtropics. Here we have made an attempt to study the correlation between severity of malaria infection with derangements in liver function tests and how it will help the outcome and prognosis of the disease. Method: 100 patients were included in the study who have been diagnosed to have malaria through MPFT/MP smear test done in Father Muller Medical College Hospital,Mangalore,Karnataka. Results: Patients included in the study were 15-72 years of age with mean age of 35 years. Ratio of males to females were 3.3:1. Among 100 cases studied 34% had vivax malaria and 66%had falciparum malaria. Ratio between vivax and falciparum malaria was 1.9:1.Fever and jaundice were the presenting complaint in all cases.Icterus and hepatosplenomegaly were the major clinical signs noticed. The serum bilirubin levels ranged from 1.5 to 6.9 mg% with mean and SD of 2.97± 1.37. The AST/ALT levels ranged from 17 to 593 IU/l and 14 to 544 IU/l with mean and SD 98.98 ± 77.167 IU/l and 82.39 ± 69.08 IU/l, respectively. Conclusion: Changes in LFT such as hyperbilirubinemia and elevated transaminases were observed in our study with more affection towards falciparum malaria compared to vivax malaria based on our statistical results.