Serum iron status among visceral leishmaniasis patients

This case control cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh in cooperation with the Department of Microbiology, Medicine units of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital and Fulbaria & Muktagacha Upazilla Health Complexes, Mymensingh during the period of July 2006 - June 2007. The aim of the study was to explore the status of serum iron among visceral leishmaniasis patients in Bangladesh as a means to monitor the possibility of management of these patients. A total of 120 people of different age groups were included in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups - Group I (Control) consisting of 60 apparently healthy persons matched by age, sex and socioeconomic status with the cases and Group II (Case) consisting of 60 "ICT for Kala-azar" positive VL patients. Serum iron was estimated by colorimetric method with ferrozine from each sample. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS windows package. Among the groups, mean±SD (Standard Deviation) of Group I and Group II serum iron were 100.67±20.83 and 76.76±8.64μgm/dl respectively. By comparing Group I with Group II highly significant difference were found in case of serum iron (P<0.001). It is evident from the study that serum iron level significantly decreases among visceral leishmaniasis patients in Bangladesh.