Thiamin deficiency and uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Laos

OBJECTIVE Thiamin deficiency complicates severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Thailand and may contribute to acidosis. We therefore estimated the frequency of biochemical thiamin deficiency in patients presenting with uncomplicated falciparum malaria in southern Laos. METHODS Red cell transketolase activation coefficients (alpha) were measured in 310 patients presenting with uncomplicated falciparum malaria and 42 days after starting treatment. RESULTS Twelve per cent of patients had biochemical evidence of severe deficiency (alpha values > 1.31) at presentation, declining to 3% 42 days later. CONCLUSION Thiamin deficiency was common in Lao patients admitted with uncomplicated P. falciparum infection and was reduced following treatment of malaria and multivitamin supplementation. The role of this preventable and treatable disorder in malaria and other acute infections, and the incidence of beriberi in rural Laos, needs further investigation.