Evaluation of Total Protein in Malaria Parasitaemia

Abstract

Malaria endemicity is most common in the tropical region, continuous transmission still occurs in about 85 countries and regions. The liver is very essential in overall body physiology and it plays a very important role in the life cycle of malaria and its function may be altered due to malaria parasitaemia. This cross sectional study was aimed at evaluating the level of total protein in malaria parasitaemia among children attending Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Palmars, Omega Children Hospital, Early Breed Group of Schools, St Francis Nursery and Primary school and Staff Nursery and Primary school in Port Harcourt, Rivers state Nigeria. Of the 1000 subjects within 1-10 years, 694 subjects had malaria parasitaemia while 306 subjects had no malaria and thus made up the control group. Venipuncture technique was used to collect samples for estimation of malaria parasite density and total protein (TP) using biuret method. The results showed low (873.8±30.44), moderate (3248±109.31) and high malaria (24813.8±877.22) densities with TP values of 42.70±0.50g/l, 43.21±0.60g/l and 39.64±0.60g/l respectively. There was a significant difference (P-value<0.05) in total protein (TP) levels among various groups of malaria densities. This study has shown that the impact of malaria on the liver health vary depending on the level of the infestation.