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The Plasma Potassium Level during Malaria Infection in Monkeys and Man

It is generally agreed that during malaria infections the rupture of the merozoites from the red cells releases into the blood a toxic substance, as yet unidentified, which is believed to be responsible for the pyrexia occurring at this period.

Since the red blood cells of man, monkeys, and birds (the species known to be subject to malaria infections) contain twenty or more times as much potassium as their plasma, it is possible that this potassium might be released from the parasitized erythrocytes at sporulation in sufficient amounts to serve as the toxic substance.

Pinelli (1) determined the serum potassium values in twenty cases of vivax malaria and reported values ranging from 27.0 to 40.6 mgm. per cent during fever, with a subsequent return to the values (about 20 mgm. per cent) found at the beginning of the chill. No explanation was offered for this potassium rise.

Received May 20, 1940.