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Evaluation of Angiopoietins 1 and 2 in Malaria-Infested Children
A O Oluboyo1, S I Chukwu1, B O Oluboyo1
1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Insights
Malaria infection in children alters angiopoietin levels. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) increased while angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) decreased, indicating potential for assessing malaria severity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Malaria disproportionately affects young children.
- Angiopoietins (Ang-1 and Ang-2) are key regulators of endothelial function.
- Understanding their role in pediatric malaria is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) levels in children with malaria.
- To correlate these levels with hematological parameters and malaria severity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 92 blood samples from children (6 months-15 years).
- Groups included severe malaria (30), uncomplicated malaria (40), and healthy controls (22).
- Serum Ang-1 and Ang-2 measured by ELISA; hematological parameters by WHO standards.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in serum Ang-1 in both uncomplicated and severe malaria compared to controls (p < 0.05).
- Significant increase in Ang-2 and the Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio in malaria groups versus controls (p < 0.05).
- Severe malaria showed decreased RBC and platelets, and increased WBC compared to other groups.
Conclusions:
- Malaria infection is associated with increased Ang-2 and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio, and decreased Ang-1.
- Angiopoietin levels differ significantly between malaria-infected children and controls.
- Ang-1 and Ang-2 show potential as biomarkers for determining malaria severity.
Background:
Malaria could affect people of all ages, most especially young children. The study evaluated the levels of serum angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) which are critical regulators of endothelial activation and integrity with some hematological parameters (total white blood cell counts (WBC), total red blood cell counts (RBC), platelet counts, and malaria parasite density) in malaria-infected children.
Method:
A total of 92 blood samples from children between the ages of 6 months to 15 years were analyzed. The samples consisted of 30 cases of severe malaria, 40 cases of uncomplicated malaria, and 22 apparently healthy subjects served as control. Serum Ang-1 and -2 levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The hematological parameters were determined using the WHO standard.
Results:
There was significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum Ang-1 of uncomplicated malaria and severe malaria compared with the control, while significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed in Ang-2 and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio in uncomplicated malaria and severe malaria compared with the control. RBC and platelet showed significant decrease, while WBC showed significant increase in severe malaria compared with uncomplicated malaria and control.
Conclusion:
This study showed that subjects with malaria infection had a significant increase of Ang-2 and Ang-2 : Ang-1 ratio but presented with a significant decrease of Ang-1. Ang-1 and Ang-2 may be used to determine the severity of malaria infection since their levels differ significantly in malaria subjects compared with the control.
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