This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Plasmodium falciparum infection on kidney and liver function parameters in malaria patients in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Blood samples taken from 64 malaria patients and 64 non-malaria volunteers at Abanita and Blue Shield Hospitals, Freetown Sierra Leone between January to April, 2009 were examined. Changes in serum biochemical parameters were analysed using normal range values as baseline. Serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations were significantly elevated in falciparum malaria patients compared to their non-malaria counterparts which is an indication of defective liver function. Most of patients with falciparum malaria also have significantly high serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium showing alteration in kidney function. This study suggests that malaria parasites could be responsible for derangement of kidney and liver functions in patients and could therefore contribute to organ damage in affected individuals if not treated.

Background: Measurement of blood electrolytes level and lipid profile usually give good indications of the disease progression in a number of non communicable diseases. Objective: To investigate the effect of diabetes on electrolyte and lipid status of male and female diabetics in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Subjects and Methods: Serum concentrations of electrolytes and lipids in one hundred and twenty (120) adult diabetics attending some diagnostic centers in Freetown Sierra Leone were measured and compared with those of one hundred and twenty (120) non-diabetic individuals. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk ratio in diabetic patients were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of non-diabetics. Diabetic subjects also have low HDL-cholesterol compared with the non-diabetics. Analysis of serum electrolytes in diabetic individuals also shows significant reduction in serum K + , Na + and HCO 3 while Clwas significantly elevated compared with non-diabetics. There was no significant difference between the sexes in all parameters studied. Conclusion: We conclude that lipid abnormalities and electrolyte imbalance contribute towards complications observed in diabetes.

Thrombosis causes increased vascular resistance in the microcirculation distal to the site of injury. This may be of clinical relevance in unstable angina, characterised by episodes of thrombus growth and embolization, in which ischaemic episodes may be worsened by generalised downstream vascular changes.

Coronary collateral flow around an open stenosis can be measured by reference back to control conditions. The coronary collaterals vasoconstrict in the presence of thrombosis even though they are in the stream of blood coming from normal coronary arteries.

No abstract