ABSTRACT

Malaria  still remains one of the most deadly infections in the tropical and ·~subtropical regions of the world. Several studies have noted increased incidences ~of renal dysfunction in malaria subjects and have suggested a possible correlation ! between malaria pathology and renal failure. The aim of the present study was to 4 investigate a possible correlation between kidney failure and malaria. Blood ~ samples were obtained from 40 confirmed malaria subjects and 20 apparently i healthy controls, all from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. { Blood samples were analyzed for serum concentrations of serum urea, creatinine, ~ chloride, bicarbonate, sodium, and potassium. Mean urea concentration of Malaria i 'positive subjects (5.51±1.88) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the control { group (3.51±0.83). Creatinine concentration of Malaria positive group { (99.41±15.02) increased significantly (P<0.05) over that of Control (62.38±5.95). 1 Mean sodium concentration of Malaria positive subjects (137.90±2.43) was non- ; significantly (P<0.05) higher than Control (137.87±2.02).Mean potassium I ~ concentration of Malaria positive (3.70±0.33) was non-significantly (P<0.05) , ~ higher than Control (3.65±0.21).Malaria positive group (22.49±2.29) had j significantly (P<0.05) higher bicarbonate than Control (20.98±0.86).Mean chloride ! concentration of Malaria positive (90. 100±30.39) was significantly (P<0.05) lower ~ 1 than Control (103.33±0.51).The study discovered a possible correlation between malaria and increased susceptibility to renal failure. However further investigation will help identify the underlying biochemical mechanisms responsible for the observed correlation.