Ascorbic acid in schistosomiasis mansoni with or without digestive haemorrhage.

The authors studied the variations of ascorbic acid levels in white blood cells and plasma by Denson-Bowers' method in 20 normal individuals (Group I) and 36 schistosoma patients with hepatosplenic disease with and without gastrointestinal haemorrhage (Groups II and III, including 18 patients each). Having submitted the results to statistical analysis with a probability rate of 95%, the authors concluded that, while no significant difference could be seen between Groups I, II and III in ascorbic acid levels in white blood cells, there was a significant decrease in plasma ascorbic acid levels of Group III as compared with Groups I and II.