Subgroup analysis of continents demonstrated a higher mean CRP level in patients with asymptomatic malaria than in febrile/healthy controls in studies conducted in Africa (p < 0.001, SMD: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.93–4.85, I2: 99.2%, seven studies) whereas no difference in the mean CRP level was observed in patients with asymptomatic malaria compared with febrile/healthy controls in studies conducted in America (p: 0.76, SMD: 3.22, 95% CI: − 0.05–1.56, I2: 93.7%, two studies) (Fig. 10). Here, CRP is linked to malaria.