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Published on: May 16, 2013
Tumor necrosis factor in falciparum malaria
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khal, and Department of Biology, Quaid-Azam University, Islamabad.
Annals of Saudi Medicine
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) levels are elevated in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, particularly with anemia and organ dysfunction. These TNFalpha increases are not specific to cerebral malaria or high parasite density.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Malariology
Background:
- Plasmodium falciparum (PF) infection, a major cause of malaria, elicits complex immune responses.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is a key cytokine implicated in inflammatory processes during malaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma TNFalpha concentrations and various clinical manifestations of PF infection in Pakistani adults and children.
- To determine if TNFalpha levels correlate with disease severity, parasite density, or specific complications.
Main Methods:
- Plasma TNFalpha concentrations were measured in individuals with mild, severe, cerebral, and chronic falciparum malaria, as well as healthy controls.
- Statistical analyses were performed to assess correlations between TNFalpha levels and clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher TNFalpha levels were observed in severe malaria patients compared to mild malaria patients.
- TNFalpha levels were associated with severe anemia, hepatic dysfunction, and kidney dysfunction, but not parasite density, cerebral malaria, hypoglycemia, or fatal outcome.
- Elevated TNFalpha levels were also noted in chronic malaria patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- High TNFalpha levels are associated with several severe manifestations of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, including anemia and organ dysfunction.
- TNFalpha elevation is not specific to cerebral malaria or hyperparasitemia in this population.
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