Effect of Severe Malaria on Biochemical Markers (Liver Functions Tests) among Severe Malaria Patients Attending to Kosti Teaching Hospital, White Nile state

Abstract

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the infection of red blood cells with protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. When untreated or improperly treated, lead can lead to fatal complications such as liver disease, organ dysfunction, and death. The liver is a major organ affected by Plasmodium due to the life cycle of Plasmodium occurring in it. This case-control study was conducted to estimate levels of serum total bilirubin, direct and indirect bilirubin among patients with severe malaria in Kosti teaching hospital during the period from October 2024 to November 2024. It included 240 individuals: 120 patients as cases and 120 healthy individuals as controls. The result concluded that increase of plasma total protein and globulin, but decrease of plasma albumin among severe malaria patients Furthermore, plasma total protein has presented a positive correlation with globulin, (r=0.853, p-Value=0.000) and also showed results showed that the mean value ±SD of total bilirubin, direct and indirect bilirubin of severe malaria patients were (1.45±.417), (.407±.247) and (1.043±.399) compared to control (.266±.656),(.102±.097)and (.553±.272),(p-Value=.000,p-Value=.000 and p=.000)respectively. There was a significant increase in the levels of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin among cases compared to controls. The results also showed an insignificant Correlation between indirect bilirubin and age (r=073, p-value=.259) and BMI (r=.062, p-value=.377). Also showed a significant, strong positive Correlation Between total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin (r=.895, p-value=.000), and a low positive Correlation between indirect bilirubin and direct bilirubin (r=.223, p-value=.000). Conclusion: The study reveals a significant increase in ALP and ALT, and an insignificant increase in AST. Therefore, we recommend that plasma AST, ALT, and ALP levels be measured among patients with severe malaria.