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Glucose turnover in severe falciparum malaria
T M Davis1, S Looareesuwan, S Pukrittayakamee
1Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Severe falciparum malaria increases glucose turnover, but quinine treatment and parasite glycolysis lower glucose levels. This study investigated glucose metabolism in malaria patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Biochemistry
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Acute falciparum malaria is a severe infectious disease.
- Glucose metabolism is often altered in severe infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate glucose metabolism in patients with severe falciparum malaria.
- To assess the impact of quinine treatment on glucose turnover and clearance.
Main Methods:
- Measured [3-3H]glucose turnover in 18 adult Thai patients with severe falciparum malaria.
- Studied patients before quinine treatment, during treatment, and during convalescence.
- Analyzed plasma glucose and insulin levels, glucose turnover, and metabolic clearance rate.
Main Results:
- Plasma glucose levels decreased significantly after initial quinine treatment.
- Glucose turnover and metabolic clearance rate for glucose decreased during quinine infusion.
- Pretreatment glucose turnover was inversely associated with plasma glucose levels and positively associated with oral temperature.
Conclusions:
- Glucose turnover is elevated in untreated severe falciparum malaria patients.
- Quinine treatment and parasite glycolysis contribute to accelerated glucose disposal.
- Altered glucose metabolism is a significant feature of severe falciparum malaria.