FUNCTIONAL AND NEEDLE BIOPSY STUDY OF THE LIVER IN MALARIA

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Abstract
Although abnormal liver function tests in malaria have been reported by several investigators,1 the significance of the tests has not been completely elucidated. An analysis of 37 cases of malaria is presented in an effort to ascertain whether the abnormal liver function tests demonstrate true liver damage or whether they merely represent a generalized reaction of the reticuloendothelial system to the malaria parasite. The importance of proving whether or not malaria produced a primary type of hepatocellular disease is of great consequence because if such were the case, these patients should be treated for hepatitis as well as malaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-seven cases of naturally acquired acute and relapsing types of malaria are reported. There were 19 cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum, 14 cases caused by P. vivax, 2 cases caused by P. malariae, and 2 cases caused by unidentified protozoa. Liver function was studied by the use