Effects of Plasmodium Falciparum Parasitaemia on Hepatomegaly among Patients Attending State Specialist Hospital and University of Maiduguri Medical Center, Borno State, Nigeria

Maryam I.¹, Ngoshe I.Y.², Falmata K.³ Mohammed A.4

¹²Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
³Department of Veterinary Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

*Corresponding author’s Email: maryamidris2020@gmail.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.special.004


ABSTRACT

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is associated with pathological alterations in several organs, particularly the liver. This study assessed the effect of P. falciparum parasitemia on liver size (hepatomegaly) among patients attending the State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Medical Centre, Borno State, Nigeria. A total of 100 malaria-positive blood samples were collected between August and September and analysed for malaria parasite density, liver function enzymes, and related biochemical parameters. High parasite densities were observed among individuals aged 21–30 and 71–80 years, as well as within the weight categories of 40–50 kg and 61–70 kg. Parasitemia showed a positive association with aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, while alanine aminotransferase showed no significant association among patients from the University of Maiduguri Medical Centre (p > 0.05). No significant relationship was found between age and alanine aminotransferase levels (p = 0.379). Increased parasite density was associated with enlarged liver size, particularly in patients aged 21–30 and 71–80 years, with hepatomegaly measurements ranging from 18.9 to 27.9 cm in diameter. Male patients exhibited greater liver enlargement than females in both hospitals. These findings suggest that P. falciparum parasitemia is associated with measurable liver changes, underscoring the importance of routine liver function monitoring during malaria management and the need for further molecular studies.

P. Falciparum,
Hepatomegaly,
Age,
Gender

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