Physiopathologic factors resulting in poor outcome in childhood severe malaria in Cameroon.

Objectives: We evaluated plasma creatinine, urea, bilirubin, lactic acid, and nitric oxide values in children with malaria to identify indices of disease severity and predictors of fatal outcomes.

Methods: Children 0 to 15 years old were recruited, clinical data recorded, and blood samples collected. Plasma creatinine, urea, bilirubin, lactic acid, and nitric oxide (NO) values were determined by spectrophotometry.

Antioxidant status of bilirubin and uric acid in patients diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Douala.

Oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant status have been implicated in the pathogenesis of malaria. To assess the antioxidant level ofbilirubin and uric acid associated with falciparum malaria infection, 60 untreated patients (30 men and 30 women) in Douala, Cameroon were screened for the study. Sixty five healthy individuals (29 men and 36 women) were used as controls.