Blood chemistry, hematology and tryptophan level in cerebral malaria children.

BACKGROUND

Cerebral malaria is a deadly complication of P. falciparum infection, yet its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.

OBJECTIVE

The blood chemistry, hematology, protein and tryptophan levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cerebral malaria children were investigated.

METHODS

Fifteen children (2.44 +/- 0.25 yr) diagnosed with cerebral malaria were used for this study. The control subjects consist of healthy and malaria-free children (2.50 +/- 0.16 yr). Two ml of blood were collected from each child between 0830 h and 0930 h. Blood chemistry and hematological parameters were analyzed using 2 ml each of Synchron CX5 auto-analyzer. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from the children using the lumbar puncture method, by inserting a sterile needle between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae collected into sterile tubes. The CSF tryptophan, plasma and CSF protein concentrations and CSF protein concentration were determined.

RESULTS

There were no significant (p > 0.01) differences in the plasma protein, glucose and CSF glucose levels of the cerebral malaria children as compared with the control. The packed cell volume (PCV) of the cerebral malaria children hemoglobin (Hb) levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lower as compared to control, but were significantly higher in CSF tryptophan and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of cerebral malaria children were observed. Results of the study showed that cerebral malaria affected the CSF protein level, ESR, Hb and PCV, but do not affect plasma protein, glucose and CSF glucose concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Data of the present study indicate that CSF protein, tryptophan, ESR, Hb and PCV could be used as possible markers in the diagnosis of cerebral malaria.