Journal of Gastrointestinal Infections

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VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 1 ( 2015 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Hepatic dysfunction in falciparum and vivax malaria in Northern India

Sandeep Puri, Omesh Goyal, Subhadra Prashar

Keywords : Falciparum malaria, hepatic dysfunction, vivax malaria

Citation Information : Puri S, Goyal O, Prashar S. Hepatic dysfunction in falciparum and vivax malaria in Northern India. J Gastrointest Infect 2015; 5 (1):31-37.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-jogi-5-1-31

License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Published Online: 01-05-2015

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2015; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hepatic dysfunction is known to occur in Plasmodium falciparum malaria with varied incidence in different regions. Recent studies report liver involvement in P. vivax infection also. It is important to know about this entity in order to recognize it early and offer prompt and specific treatment. The present study aimed to assess the incidence, pattern, severity and outcome of hepatic dysfunction in cases of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria admitted to a tertiary care hospital in northern India. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included all hospitalized patients diagnosed to have malaria from January 2013 to December 2013. Their clinical and biochemical parameters, complications and outcome were recorded. Results: Of 115 patients included, 85(73.9%) had P. vivax infection and 30 (26.1%) had P. falciparum infection. The mean age was 36.7±16.1 years and male:female ratio was 2.7:1. Hepatic dysfunction was seen in 31.8%(27/85) patients of vivax malaria and 50%(15/30) patients of falciparum malaria (p=0.082). The mean bilirubin, AST and ALT in patients with hepatic dysfunction were 7.7 ±7.3 mg/dL, 97.1 ±103.3 IU/L and 72.3 ±87.8 IU/L respectively. Patients with falciparum malaria had significantly higher levels of mean bilirubin, AST, urea and creatinine. Patients with hepatic dysfunction had higher rate of complications like renal failure, shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and mortality. Interpretation and conclusion: Hepatic dysfunction was more common and more severe in patients with P. falciparum malaria compared to P. vivax malaria. Patients with hepatic dysfunction had higher rates of complications and higher mortality.


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