Cortisol and uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan

Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011 Feb;4(2):146-7. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60056-4.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the levels of serum cortisol in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan.

Methods: The concentrations of cortisol were measured in sera of 25 patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria (at presentation, 24 h and 7 d later) and 25 healthy volunteers using radioimmunoassay gamma counter.

Results: There was no significant difference in mean (SD) of total cortisol levels in patients with malaria in comparison with the control group; 602.2 (369.6) vs. 449.2(311.7) ng/mL, P=0.12. In patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, the mean (SD) presenting cortisol levels were significantly higher in comparison to the levels on day 7; 602.2 (369.6) vs. 373.6(139.1) ng/mL, P=0.009. In the patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria (on presentation) cortisol levels were not correlated with initial temperature or the presenting parasitaemia.

Conclusions: Thus, cortisol levels were not significantly different between the patients and the controls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood*
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology*
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Sudan / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hydrocortisone