Liver function tests in recurrent P. vivax malaria.

Blood samples were collected from 61 P. vivax infected fresh and recurrent malaria patients and liver function parameters studied. Plasma albumin, A/G ratio were found decreased significantly (p < 0.001) when compared to controls. Among the group of recurrent malaria patients with more than five attacks lowest values were found and the decrease was directly correlated with the number of attacks. The enzyme activities of plasma LDH, SGPT and thymol turbidity were found increased significantly with the increase in the number of attacks (p < 0.001). The increase was more pronounced in more than 5 attack (R3) group. The levels of total, conjugated and free bilirubin and the enzyme activities of SGOT, alkaline phosphatase were also found increased significantly in all the recurrent malarial groups, when compared to controls, without any correlation between the number of attacks. The isoenzyme pattern of plasma LDH was not altered in either fresh or recurrent malarial attack groups when compared to controls.