Lipid profiles among Plasmodium falciparum infected, non malarial febrile patients and volunteers

Background: Acute falciparum Malaria infected patients show wide ranges of metabolic derangement including changes in serum lipid profiles. The exact mechanisms of this derangement in serum lipid profiles are still poorly understood. Objective was to study the lipid profiles among acute plasmodium falciparum infected patients.Methods: It was a Prospective observational comparative study. A total of 100 patients were consecutively taken in the study. Fifty Non- malaria febrile cases and 50 healthy volunteers were taken as control group. Baseline lipid profiles were estimated in all cases at the time of admission and at the end of one week. Data were collected and analyzed.Results: There were 100 diagnosed cases of falciparum malaria and 50 non malarial febrile and 50 healthy volunteers taken as control group. Complications was present in 50 and 50 were uncomplicated. Serum total cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels were significantly low in falciparum malaria patients, and serum TG and VLDL levels were higher than control. There were no significant changes in mean serum lipids profiles in survived and deaths cases.Conclusions: The derangement in lipid profiles in falciparum malaria was characteristic and specific for the disease. Characteristic changes were lower HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels and higher TG and VLDL levels in comparison to control groups. Changes are more pronounced in complicated falciparum Malaria and persisting till the end of the week. These findings may be of diagnostic and prognostic value.