Dehydroascorbic Acid Level in Blood of Patients Suffering from Various Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Summary1. Dehydroascorbic acid and ascorbic acid values of blood were estimated in healthy subjects and in patients suffering from meningococcal meningitis, tetanus, acute lobar pneumonia, typhoid fever and tubercular meningitis. These values were also determined in surviving patients during convalescence. 2. There was statistically significant increase in dehydroascorbic acid and a diminution in ascorbic acid values of blood of patients suffering from above mentioned diseases. During convalescence, the dehydroascorbic acid level diminished with a concomitant increase in the ascorbic acid level of the blood. 3. Significance of the rise of de-hydroascorbic acid level of blood in acute infectious diseases has been discussed. It has been suggested that the estimation of dehydroascorbic acid content of the blood should be undertaken for prognostic purpose.