Zinc, Copper and C-reactive Protein in Children with Severe Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in an Area of Unstable Malaria Transmission in Eastern Sudan

Abstract

Few data exist on the role of trace element in the pathogenesis of severe malaria. The study was conducted at Kassala Hospital, eastern Sudan, to investigate the role of zinc, copper and C-reactive protein levels in children with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Zinc, copper and C-reactive protein levels were measured in sera of three groups of children (35 in each arm): those with severe malaria, those with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria and healthy controls. Although the zinc levels were significantly lower, the levels of copper and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in patients with severe P. falciparum. There was a significant inverse correlation between zinc and C-reactive protein and significant positive correlation between copper and C-reactive protein. The change in zinc and copper may play a role in pathogenesis of P. falciparum malaria.