The Utility of Acid Phosphatase as a Marker in Malaria

Invasion of the human erythrocytes by the malarial parasite brings about considerable metabolic changes in the host cell. In this study we compared acid phosphatase (ACP) levels in 45 cases of malaria with 45 cases of non-malarial fever and 45 normal individuals. In our study the serum ACP levels are highly increased in malaria patients when compared to non-malarial fever patients and it was highly significant (pless than.001). The serum ACP levels are significantly increased in PF and Mixed groups compared to PV group. The level of Hb was decreased in all malaria patients, thisindicate that malarial parasite uses host erythrocytes Hb as major nutrient source. There is negative correlation between ACP and Hb in malaria patients (r= -0.924) which is statistically highly significant. Increase in serum ACP levels in malaria patients may be used as an additional investigation in the diagnosis of malaria.