Estimation of Stress Induces By Malaria Parasite Infection and Effect of Anti-malaria Drugs on Stress Index, Lipid Profile in Uncomplicated Acute Malaria Infected Adult Individuals

Malaria infection is accompanied by increased production of reactive oxygen species which indicates the environment for oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in malaria may originate from several sources including intracellular parasitized erythrocytes and extra-erythrocytes as a result of haemolysis and host response. The aim of this study is to estimate level of stress induces by malaria parasite infection and effect of anti malaria drugs on stress index in uncomplicated acute malaria infected adult individuals. 202 confirmed malaria infected patients were recruited for the study between the ages of 15 – 64 years of both sexes at the general outpatient clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. 129(63.9%) were males and 73(36.1%) were females. Mean± SD of cortisol, MDA, glucose and HDL in pre anti-malaria drug treatment of age group A were higher compared to other age groups; there is significant difference (p < 0.05) observed in cortisol and glucose. Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection is accompanied by increased production of reactive oxygen species which indicates the environment for oxidative stress. The level of stress induced by malaria parasite is corresponded to the severity of infection and age differences; this could be due to the number of exposure to mosquito bites which increases with age and also increase the level of immunity against malaria infection.