Korean J Parasitol.  2006 Dec;44(4):295-302. 10.3347/kjp.2006.44.4.295.

Minor liver profile dysfunctions in Plasmodium vivax, P. malaria and P. ovale patients and normalization after treatment

• Tangpukdee N
• Thanachartwet V
• Krudsood S
• Luplertlop N
• Pornpininworakij K
• Chalermrut K
• Phokham S
• Kano S
• Looareesuwan S
• Wilairatana P

• KMID: 1088761
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2006.44.4.295

Abstract

Liver function tests were performed in 61 vivax, 54 malariae and 15 ovale malaria patients who were admitted to Bangkok Hospital for Tropical Diseases between 2001 and 2004. The objective of the study was to evaluate changes in hepatic biochemical indices before and after treatment with artemisinin derivatives. On admission and prior to treatment, hepatic dysfunction was found among the 3 groups. Serum liver function tests and physical examinations were performed weekly during the 28-day follow-up period. Initially elevated serum bilirubin and diminished albumin returned to normal within 2 weeks of treatment. Serum alkaline phosphatase and aminotransferases returned to within normal limits within 3 weeks. We conclude that patients with Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale infections had slightly elevated serum bilirubin, aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, and hypoalbuminemia. These minor abnormalities returned to normal within a few weeks after treatment with therapies based on artemisinin derivatives.

Keyword

Plasmodium vivax; Plasmodium malaria; Plasmodium ovale; malaria; liver profile dysfunction; artemisinin derivatives

MeSH Terms

Treatment Outcome
Sesquiterpenes/*therapeutic use
Serum Albumin
Plasmodium vivax/*drug effects/pathogenicity
Plasmodium ovale/*drug effects/pathogenicity
Plasmodium malariae/*drug effects/pathogenicity
Middle Aged
Male
Malaria, Vivax/drug therapy/parasitology/physiopathology
Malaria/*drug therapy/parasitology/physiopathology
Liver Function Tests
Liver/*physiopathology
Humans
Female
Bilirubin/blood
Artemisinins/*therapeutic use
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Animals
Alanine Transaminase/blood
Adult
Adolescent