Correlation of Plasma Plasmodium Falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein-2 Levels with Disease Severity and Outcome of Malaria Patients in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

• Author(s): Ndukwe, Fustina Ogechi; Ladan Muktari; Umar Rabiu; Jiya Nma; Onu Andrew
• Paper ID: 1711621
• Page: 1928-1942
• Published Date: 31-10-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 4 October-2025

Abstract

Accurate diagnosis of malaria is key to proper management, control and an ideal diagnostic parameter that correlates with disease outcome is required. Hence, the study aimed to determine if plasma Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 (PfHRP2) levels correlate with malaria severity and whether it could be used to predict outcome in children. The study enrolled 250 volunteers, comprising 150 malaria infected, 100 healthy controls, grouped into severe malaria, uncomplicated and non-malaria(control). Clinical assessments, Biochemical and haematological parameters were determined using standard methods. There was no significant difference in the demographic characteristics of the study volunteers. The malaria status of volunteers with severe and uncomplicated malaria was confirmed by both PfHRP2 and microscopy. Levels of Lactate, Creatinine, Bilirubin, Plasmodium falciparum parasite count, and PfHRP2 were significantly(p< 0.05) higher while levels of Bicarbonate, Glucose, PCV and Haemoglobin were significantly(p< 0.05) lower in the severe malaria group compared to the uncomplicated and the control group. A positive correlation was observed between PfHRP2 concentration and parasite count and several outcomes of malaria disease severity. Severe malaria group show a high Area under the Curve (AUC) of 0.99 with high predictive power compared to the uncomplicated malaria group(~0.61) with predictive power and control group(~0.008) with no predictive power. Patients with very high PfHRP2 levels are most likely to manifest one or more clinical signs of severe malaria which would facilitate the identification of patients at greatest risk of progressing to complicated or severe malaria, and their isolation for prompt, effective treatment to avoid death or complications.

Keywords

Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2), Severe malaria, Uncomplicated malaria, infection.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Ndukwe, Fustina Ogechi, Ladan Muktari, Umar Rabiu, Jiya Nma, Onu Andrew "Correlation of Plasma Plasmodium Falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein-2 Levels with Disease Severity and Outcome of Malaria Patients in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 4 2025 Page 1928-1942

IEEE:
Ndukwe, Fustina Ogechi, Ladan Muktari, Umar Rabiu, Jiya Nma, Onu Andrew "Correlation of Plasma Plasmodium Falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein-2 Levels with Disease Severity and Outcome of Malaria Patients in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(4)