Plasma cholesterol, B-carotene and ascorbic acid changes in human malaria.

Serum cholesterol (Total and free) as well as B-carotene and vitamin C level concentrations during and after severe infection by Plasmodium falciparum were determined. The decrease in the concentrations of cholesterol and B-carotene during and after infection was not statistically significant (P > 0.01), while the decrease in vitamin C was statistically significant (P < 0.01) during and after infection.