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Host-parasite interaction in severe and uncomplicated malaria infection in ghanaian children
Richard H Asmah1, Daniel Sai Squire2, Selorme Adupko3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
Insights
This study shows that superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and specific cytokines are crucial in fighting Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Ghanaian children. Lower SOD activity correlated with higher parasite levels in severe malaria cases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Malaria infection induces oxidative stress in host red blood cells (RBCs) and parasites.
- Host antioxidant systems, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), protect RBCs from free radical damage.
- Cytokines play a role in the host immune response to malaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its correlation with parasitaemia.
- To examine the interaction between cytokine levels and parasitaemia in Ghanaian children with severe and uncomplicated malaria.
- To assess oxidative stress-induced DNA damage in Plasmodium parasites.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 150 Ghanaian children (0-12 years) with malaria was studied.
- Parasitaemia, haematological parameters, and SOD activity were quantified from blood samples.
- Cytokine levels (IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α) were measured using ELISA, and DNA damage was assessed via comet assay.
Main Results:
- Severe malaria cases exhibited significantly higher parasitaemia than uncomplicated cases.
- A significant negative correlation was observed between parasitaemia and SOD activity in severe malaria.
- Distinct differences in cytokine profiles (IL-10) and cytokine ratios (IFN-γ/IL-10, TNF-α/IL-10) were found between malaria groups and controls.
- Plasmodium parasite DNA damage was confirmed by comet assay.
Conclusions:
- SOD activity and specific cytokines are critical components of anti-parasitic defense against Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children.
- These findings highlight the role of oxidative stress and host immune response in malaria pathogenesis.
- The study establishes a link between reduced antioxidant capacity and increased parasite load in severe malaria.
Purpose:
During malarial infection, both parasites and host red blood cells (RBCs) come under severe oxidative stress due to the production of free radicals. The host system responds in protecting the RBCs against the oxidative damage caused by these free radicals by producing antioxidants. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant enzyme; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and cytokine interactions with parasitaemia in Ghanaian children with severe and uncomplicated malaria.
Methodology:
One hundred and fifty participants aged 0-12 years were administered with structured questionnaires. Active case finding approach was used in participating hospitals to identify and interview cases before treatment was applied. Blood samples were taken from each participant and used to quantify malaria parasitaemia, measure haematological parameters and SOD activity. Cytokine levels were measured by commercial ELISA kits. DNA comet assay was used to evaluate the extent of parasite DNA damage due to oxidative stress.
Results:
Seventy - Nine (79) and Twenty- Six (26) participants who were positive with malaria parasites were categorized as severe (56.75 × 103 ± 57.69 parasites/µl) and uncomplicated malaria (5.87 × 103 ± 2.87 parasites/µl) respectively, showing significant difference in parasitaemia (p < 0.0001). Significant negative correlation was found between parasitaemia and SOD activity levels among severe malaria study participants (p = 0.0428). Difference in cytokine levels (IL-10) amongst the control, uncomplicated and severe malaria groups was significant (p < 0.0001). The IFN-γ/IL-10 /TNF-α/IL-10 ratio differed significantly between the malaria infected and non- malaria infected study participants. DNA comet assay revealed damage to Plasmodium parasite DNA.
Conclusion:
Critical roles played by SOD activity and cytokines as anti-parasitic defense during P. falciparum malaria infection in children were established.
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