Protein C in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

ABSTRACT

Plasma levels of protein C, and naturally occurring inhibitor of blood coagulation were measured in 11 patients with hepatic schistosomiasis and 12 healthy control subjects using a clotting method. Prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and liver function tests including serum alanine transaminase [ALT], serum aspartate transaminase [AST] estimation of total serum proteins and serum albumin were also performed. Significant decrease in protein C activity and prothrombin time [PT], partial thromboplastin time [PTT] and other liver function tests was found. The deficiency of protein C suggested an alteration in hepatic synthetic function and presence of intravascular coagulation