# Baseline Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Asymptomatic Individuals From West Africa With and Without P. falciparum Parasitemia

## TL;DR

This study measured inflammation markers in asymptomatic West Africans with and without malaria, finding that one marker was more common in malaria cases.

## Contribution

The study is the first to report procalcitonin levels in asymptomatic malaria-positive individuals in West Africa.

## Key findings

- C-reactive protein levels were not affected by malaria parasitemia.
- Procalcitonin was more frequently detectable in malaria-positive individuals.
- The results suggest a potential link between parasite density and procalcitonin levels.

## Abstract

We assessed baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels in asymptomatic individuals from malaria-endemic West Africa. C-reactive protein remained unaffected by Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia, while procalcitonin (PCT) was more frequently detectable among malaria-positive individuals. These findings support that CRP thresholds remain valid and highlight the need to explore parasite density–PCT associations.