Has lack of vitamin C any role in the aetiology of tropical pyomyositis?

The plasma concentration of vitamin C of 14 patients with tropical pyomyositis without clinical evidence of scurvy and that of II age and sex-matched controls was determined in order to ascertain whether or not there was a deficiency of the vitamin in this condition. The results show that the mean plasma concentrations of vitamin C of patients were slightly higher (15.9 +/- 6.4 g/l) than those of controls (12.0 +/- 4.5 g/l). The differences, however, were not statistically significant (P greater than 0.25). It is therefore concluded that lack of vitamin C does not play a part in the aetiology of tropical pyomyositis.