A Study of Serum Lipids in Malaria

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Dr. Mukhtarahmed Bendigeri, Dr. Muhammed Rafi C. K. , Dr. Sayed Sirajuddeen, Dr. Prakruthi Jaladhar

Background and objectives: This study aims at finding a relationship between serum triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL and severity

of malaria.

Methods: 150 patients were included in the study both males and females with majority being males. Out of which 75 were cases

and 75 controls. A detailed history was taken including presenting complaints with history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and

chronic renal failure. General physical examination including vitals, purpura, BMI and systemic examination was done. Laboratory

investigations important ones included MP smear, fasting lipid profile. Others included chest X–RAY, ECG and USG abdomen and

pelvis.

Results: Among 150 cases, 75 patients were controls and 75 were cases of malaria out of which, the number of patients suffering

from complicated malaria were found to be 3 (4 %), complicated mixed malaria was 1 (1.3%), mixed malaria was 8 (10.7%),

Plasmodium falciparum was 3 (4%) and those with Plasmodium vivax malaria was 60 (80%). Our study showed that out of the

150 patients studied, all had total cholesterol within the normal reference range. Out of this, the mean total cholesterol levels

were 182.93 mg/dl in the control group with a standard deviation of 30.867 and the malaria group was found to have a mean

total cholesterol level of 134.85 mg/dl and standard deviation of 29.838.

Conclusions: The study revealed that there is reduction in total cholesterol level in patients suffering from malaria infection,

however there is significant reduction seen in patients having complicated malaria and complicated mixed malaria. Hence the

results of our study are in close agreement with other similar studies showing that there is hypocholesterolemia,

hypertriglyceridemia, decreased HDL and LDL levels.