CRP and Plasmodium falciparum malaria: Interestingly, in the present study, a serum sodium < 131 mmol/L, CRP > 175 mg/L, LDH > 750 IU/L, thrombocyte count < 20 × 109/L, and leukocyte count > 6.5 × 109/L were all independently associated with severe falciparum malaria (as defined by the modified WHO severity criteria [12]).