Pattern of Serum High Density Lipoprotein Distribution in a Malaria Endemic Population: A Study in Enugu.

Abstract

Aim: To characterize the effect of malaria infection on serum HDL levels with respect to age and sex distribution in an endemic population.
Patients and Methods: A total of sixty subjects within the age range of 10 to 60 years were selected by stratified random sampling from patients attending the general out-patient department of a district hospital in Enugu.
Serum HDL fractions were determined in both malaria patients and healthy control subjects. Data obtained was statistically analyzed using ANOVA, assuming P<0.05 as significant and presented in tabular form.
Results: The study revealed a consistent age-related decline in serum HDL values in both malaria patients and control. However, the mean HDL values were noted to be significantly elevated in malaria patients relative to control, (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The serum HDL fraction may be implicated in the pathogenesis of malaria infection especially in the disease endemic zones.


Keywords: Age-related, Distribution, Endemic population, High density lipoprotein, Malaria infection.

Journal of College of Medicine Vol. 12 (2) 2007: pp. 89-92