Malaria surveillance in schizophrenia patients and its effects on hepatic and red cell indices

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a complex illness with genetic, environmental, and epigenetic components, and malaria is a leading cause of illness, disability, and death in tropical countries. Complex relationships exist between malaria and mental problems. Malaria, a debilitating physical ailment, may lead to depression, which affects immunity and behaviour. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of malarial on the hepatic and red cell indices of parasitized schizophrenics. This study recruited a sample of forty (40) individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and malaria parasites, together with 30 controls who were matched in terms of age and gender. Six millilitres (6ml) of venous blood were drawn from each participant and dispensed appropriately. Levels of C-reactive protein, liver function parameters [AST, ALT, ALP, Total Bilirubin (TBil), Conjugated Bilirubin (ConjBil), Total protein (TPro), and Albumin (ALB)], Red cell indices and malaria parasites were determined by standard laboratory techniques. Statistical analysis of data was done appropriately and p-values less than 0.05 was considered significant. Schizophrenic malaria patients had considerably lower PCV, RBC, and HGB than controls (p<0.05). TBil, ConjBil, and CRP were significantly greater in schizophrenic malaria patients than controls (p<0.05), but TPro and ALB were lower. PCV correlated positively with TBil, ConjBil, AST, and ALT (p<0.05). RBC had significant positive correlation with AST and ALT (p<0.05). Also, HBG showed positive significant correlation with ConjBil, AST and ALT (p<0.05). In this study, malarial parasite-infected schizophrenics have considerable changes in hepatic and red cell indices. Malaria is associated with reduced red cell indices and heightened liver enzymes. This may be due to the parasites' increased red blood cell destruction.