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Published on: May 16, 2013
Elevated Levels of Procoagulant Microvesicles and Tissue-Factor Bearing Microvesicles in Malaria Patients
Aymen M Madkhali1, Abdullah A Mobarki1, Ahmad H Ghzwani2
1Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Gizan, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Procoagulant microvesicles (MVs) are submicron membrane fragments released from activated cells and cells undergoing apoptosis. The procoagulant activity of MVs is enhanced in the presence of tissue factor (TF). MVs and TF are active mediators that induce pro-inflammatory response and prothrombotic tendency and have been linked to the severity of several disorders, including malaria infection. The current study aimed to measure the levels of circulating procoagulant MVs and TF-bearing MVs in malaria patients and correlate these levels with other hematological parameters and parasitemia.
Materials And Methods:
Levels of MVs and TF-bearing MVs in the plasma of children and adult patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum were measured alongside matched healthy controls.
Results:
Patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection had ~3.8 times MVs (p < 0.0001) and ~13.0 times TF-bearing MVs compared to the matched healthy controls. MVs showed inverse significant correlation with platelet count (p = 0.0055), hemoglobin (p = 0.0004) and parasitemia.
Conclusion:
Elevated levels of MVs and TF-bearing MVs could be useful biomarkers to evaluate the procoagulant activity, inflammatory response and parasitemia levels in malaria infection, aiding in better management of the disease.
Insights
Malaria patients show significantly higher levels of procoagulant microvesicles (MVs) and tissue factor-bearing MVs. These elevated MV levels correlate with disease severity, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for malaria management.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Procoagulant microvesicles (MVs) are cell-derived fragments implicated in inflammation and thrombosis.
- Tissue factor (TF) enhances MV procoagulant activity.
- MVs and TF are linked to severe disease, including malaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify circulating procoagulant MVs and TF-bearing MVs in malaria patients.
- To correlate MV levels with hematological parameters and parasitemia.
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of MVs and TF-bearing MVs were measured in children and adults with Plasmodium falciparum infection.
- Healthy controls were included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Malaria patients exhibited significantly higher MVs (~3.8-fold) and TF-bearing MVs (~13.0-fold) compared to controls.
- MVs showed an inverse correlation with platelet count, hemoglobin, and parasitemia.
Conclusions:
- Elevated MVs and TF-bearing MVs may serve as valuable biomarkers for assessing procoagulant activity and inflammation in malaria.
- These biomarkers can aid in evaluating disease severity and improving malaria management.
