Raised serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels in malaria

To study the extent of serum lipid peroxidation in malaria, 62 patients of falciparum malaria (18 uncomplicated and 44 complicated), 15 patients of vivax malaria and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The extent of serum lipid peroxidation was evaluated by estimating serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) colorimetrically. The mean serum TBARS levels were 1.5 +/- 0.29, 1.21 +/- 0.2 and 3.58 +/- 1.35 nmol/ml in controls, vivax malaria and falciparum malaria patients respectively. The TBARS level was significantly more in complicated falciparum malaria patients (4.2 +/- 1.03 nmol/ml) than uncomplicated falciparum malaria patients (2.01 +/- 0.61 nmol/ml). The TBARS level was also more in patients who died (4.82 +/- 0.64 nmol/ml) when compared to the survivors (2.92 +/- 1.05 nmol/ml).