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Glutamine deficiency is associated with increased rates of sepsis and mortality, which can be prevented by glutamine supplementation. Changes in glutamine concentration were examined in Ghanaian children with acute falciparum malaria and control cases. The mean (SD) plasma glutamine concentration was lower in patients with acute malaria (401 (82) mumol/L, n = 50) than in control patients (623 (67) mumol/L, n = 7; P < 0.001). Plasma glutamine concentrations all rose in convalescence. The mean (SD) increase in plasma glutamine was 202 (123) mumol/L (n = 18; P < 0.001) compared with acute infection. We conclude that acute falciparum malaria is associated with large decreases in plasma glutamine and these falls may increase susceptibility to sepsis and dyserythropoeisis.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/s0035-9203(99)90070-6

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg

Publication Date

11/1999

Volume

93

Pages

616 - 618

Keywords

Case-Control Studies, Child, Child, Preschool, Disease Susceptibility, Female, Glutamine, Hematocrit, Humans, Infant, Malaria, Falciparum, Male, Prospective Studies