Dehydroascorbic acid level in blood of patients suffering from various infectious diseases

Summary. 1. Dehydroascorbic acid and ascorbic acid values of blood were estimated
in healthy subjects and in patients suffering from meningococcal meningitis, tetanus, acute
lobar pneumonia, typhoid fever and tubercular meningitis. These values were also determined
in surviving patients during convalescence.
2. There was statistically significant increase in dehydroascorbic acid and a diminution
in ascorbic acid values of blood of patients suffering from above mentioned diseases.
During convalescence, the dehydroascorbic acid level diminished with a concomitant
increase in the ascorbic acid level of the blood.
3. Significance of the rise of dehydroascorbic acid level of blood in acute infectious
diseases has been discussed. It has been suggested that the estimation of dehydroascorbic
acid content of the blood should be undertaken for prognostic purpose.