Hypohaptoglobinaemia as a biochemical and epidemiological marker of falciparum malaria

The study was conducted in two parts to find out the usefulness of hypohaptoglobinemia (Hpo) as a biochemical and epidemiological marker of malaria. Part-I study was conducted in a Medical College Hospital to find out Hpo in malaria and the time required for normalization of Hpo. Part-II study was undertaken in two endemic areas of malaria to find out the prevalence of Hpo and haptoglobin index (HI) throughout the year along with other indicators of malaria.

In Part-I study, 172 patients of malaria constituting 58, 52 and 62 patients of cerebral malaria, uncomplicated falciparum malaria and vivax malaria, respectively were enrolled. Along with routine haematological and biochemical investigations, haptoglobin (Hp) estimation was done by endoplate haptoglobin test kit on admission and at 15 days interval for 3 months. In Part-II study Hp was estimated is 305 subjects in two endemic areas of malaria. HI, parasitic index, slide positivity rate (SPR), slide falciparum rate (SFR) were estimated throughout the year and HI was compared with these epidemiological markers.

Hpo was present in 102 (92.7%) cases of falciparum malaria which was significantly more than vivax malaria and non-malarial fever. The normalisation of Hpo took about a month or more. The incidence of Hpo was 32.1% is endemic and 4.7% in nonendemic area of malaria. The HI varied between 12.4 to 25.2% throughout the year and was found to be a better marker than other classical markers of malaria.

Hypohaptoglobinemia may be considered as a useful indirect indicator of falciparum malaria. HI can be used as an epidemiological maker which is better than classical markers of malaria used at present.