The Pattern Of Packed Cell Volume, Plasma Electrolytes And Glucose Levels In Patients Infected With Plasmodium falciparum

Fifty-two patients (27 males, 25 females aged 25 ±: 18.4 years) with Plasmodium falciparum infection and 53 healthy control subjects (27 males, 26 females aged 28.3 ± 19.2 years) were recruited for the study. Plasma electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-), glucose and HCO3- were respectively analyzed colorimetrically and biochemically. There was an observed lower significant mean value of packed cell volume, Na+, HCO3-and glucose in Plasmodium falciparum infected subjects than the values obtained from the normal control subjects with p < 0.05. Higher significant mean value of Cl- and K+ was observed in the test than the control subjects (p < 0.05). Significantly lower packed cell volume, Na+, Cl-, glucose and higher significant K+ levels were observed in the test subjects aged 1-10 years than test subjects aged 11-72 years with p < 0.05. This study further affirms the effects of Plasmodium falciparum infection on the pattern of packed cell volume, plasma electrolytes and glucose concentrations.