Liver function tests in adults with Plasmodium falciparum infection

This study examines the levels of serum bilirubin, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in adults with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. One hundred and six sets of liver function tests were obtained, and 63 (59.4%) patients had one of the above indices elevated outside the local reference range. Serum bilirubin and aspartate transaminase were relatively higher than alkaline phosphatase. Neither duration of illness nor severity of infection showed any significant correlation with any of the indices measured.