Malaria parasite status and cholesterol level of malaria patients in parts of the IMO River Basin of Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between malaria parasite status and cholesterol level of 110 consenting subjects (55 patients and 55 controls) in parts of the Imo River Basin of Nigeria. METHODS: Giemsa staining was used for malaria parasite examination while Randox cholesterol kit was used for cholesterol level estimation. RESULTS: About 49 persons (90%) with malaria had low cholesterol (<180 mg/dL). Highest mean cholesterol levels were 274 mg/dL for study patients and 220 mg/dL for controls respectively; Lowest mean cholesterol levels were 168 mg/dL (patients) and 138 mg/dL (controls) respectively. Low cholesterol levels (<180 mg/dL) were found in patients (84%) and controls (6%) respectively. However, 16.4% of controls and 6% of patients had borderline cholesterol level (200-239 mg/dL). This study establishes a significant correlation (12.9%, P<0.01) between malaria parasite status and cholesterol level. CONCLUSIONS: These findings imply that cholesterol level estimation may be a potential concurrent and valuable diagnosis for malaria status.