Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

We studied leukocyte alkaline phosphatase in malaria to assess leukocyte defence mechanisms. Twenty-seven patients with malaria were stratified into two classes on the basis of disease severity. Fifteen malaria negative patients were taken as controls. Data showed mild polymorphonucleated cell activation, in the absence of correlation with the severity of the malaria.