Glutamate pyruvate transaminase as an indicator of infection with Plasmodium falciparum

A correlation is shown between the presence of trophozoites and/or gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum in thick and/or thin blood films, with the enzyme glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and a marked increase in serum GPT as a probable consequence of the presence of malaria parasite inferred. It is suggested that serum GPT levels may be used as a reliable marker for malaria infection, but only complementary to microscopic detection of falciparum malaria, rather than being specifically diagnostic.