Role of Liver Enzymes in Patients Infected with Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum

Background: Malaria is a mosquito born disease caused by protozoa belonging to family Plasmodium. The disease still causing high morbidity and mortality and poses a threat to the health of residents and travellers in tropical countries. According to the world health organization (WHO), liver participate in Plasmodium falciparum malaria is not an uncommon feature and presence of jaundice (bilirubin ≥ 3 mg/dl) is one of the suggestive markers of malaria. Participation of liver in malaria is a common mechanism and may leads to jaundice, hepatomegaly and elevated liver enzymes like aspartate and alanine transferase. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective and hospital-based study, which was carried out at Department of Microbiology and Central Hospital Laboratory, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai. Total 120 malaria positive (80 P. vivax, 40 P. falciparum) samples were included in this study. Results: Out of 120 malaria positive samples 90 (75%) were diagnosed with abnormal value of liver function test, while 30 were showing normal value. Abnormal value found in P. vivax i.e. total bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT and ALP were 48.75%, 68.75%, 56.25% and 33.75% respectively. Abnormal value found in P. falciparum i.e. total bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT and ALP were 42.5%, 68.75%, 56.25% and 33.75% respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that dysfunction of liver due to malarial parasites may lead from mild elevation of liver enzymes and serum bilirubin (≥3 mg/dl) to acute hepatitis. The morbidity and mortality rate due hepatic dysfunction is more common in P. falciparum malaria than P. vivax malaria.