title: Measurement of acute phase proteins for assessing severity of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
abstract: Seventeen adult patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria, admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, were studied. Serial measurements of the serum concentration of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein, and percentage parasitaemia were determined, together with initial measurement of serum electrolytes, liver function, haemoglobin, white cell and platelet counts. Initial C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A concentrations were increased (C-reactive protein mean 49.0 mg/l serum amyloid A 28 mg/l) falling towards the normal range by the seventh day of treatment. There was a significant correlation between the pretreatment parasite count and clinical and laboratory markers of inflammation. C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A concentrations correlated inversely with the serum sodium. These results indicate that measurement of acute phase reactants such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A may prove valuable in assessing the severity of P falciparum malaria, and in following the response to antimalarial treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dow
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Raynes
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Behrens
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chiodini
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: McAdam
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein