LIPID PROFILE IN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM INFECTED SUBJECTS IN EKPOMA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Background: Malaria remains a major health problem worldwide with 35% of the human population being at risk of becoming infected.

Methods: In this study lipid profile (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured in 90 subjects with P. falciparum infection and 30 apparently healthy individuals as controls. Laboratory diagnosis of subjects was confirmed by Giemsa staining method for thick blood film and plasma lipid levels were assayed by colorimetric methods.

Results: Triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the test subjects (0.73±0.32mmol/l) with P. falciparum than in the control subjects (1.33±0.52mmol/l). In contrast, the levels of LDL were significantly higher in test subjects (2.01±0.89mmol/l) with P. falciparum infection when compared with the control subjects (1.73±1.09mmol/l). Total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol showed no statistically significant difference when test subjects were compared with the control.

Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that P. falciparum infection induces significant changes in triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol level thereby supporting the hypothesis that P. falciparum infection affects lipid profile.