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Plasmodium falciparum malaria and human red cells. I. A genetic and clinical study in children
Insights
This study found that malaria in Nigerian children is linked to lower hemoglobin levels, but not significantly different frequencies of hemoglobin types or G6PD variants. Malaria and parasite density decreased with age.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Parasitology
- Genetics
Background:
- Malaria remains a significant health burden in holoendemic regions like Nigeria.
- Understanding host factors influencing malaria severity is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between malaria, hemoglobin levels, hemoglobin types, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants in Nigerian children.
- To analyze the impact of age on malaria morbidity and parasitemia.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 461 children with malaria and 241 controls aged 9 months to 6 years.
- Assessment of hemoglobin levels, hemoglobin types, G6PD variants (using spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, and cytochemistry), and parasite densities.
- Statistical analysis to compare parameters between malaria-affected and unaffected children.
Main Results:
- Malaria and parasite densities showed a significant decrease with increasing age.
- Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in children with malaria compared to controls.
- No significant differences were observed in the frequencies of hemoglobin types (HbAA, HbAS) and G6PD variants between the two groups.
- No strong correlation was found between hemoglobin levels and parasite density.
Conclusions:
- While malaria is associated with reduced hemoglobin levels in Nigerian children, common genetic factors like hemoglobin types and G6PD variants do not appear to significantly alter malaria susceptibility or severity in this population.
- Age is a significant factor in reducing malaria burden and parasitemia.
Abstract:
In a holoendemic malaria region of Nigeria children of both sexes aged from 9 months to 6 years with an acute febrile illness were examined for malaria. In 461 children with malaria, predominantly P. falciparum, and in 241 children without malaria, haemoglobin levels, haemoglobin types, red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants and parasite densities were recorded. The G6PD status was determined by a combination of spectrophotometric enzyme quantitation, electrophoresis and the cytochemical methaemoglobin elution technique. Malaria morbidity and parasitaemia decreased with increasing age. Frequencies of haemoglobin types and G6PD variants were not significantly different in the malaria and the non-malaria series. Haemoglobin values were significantly lower in children with malaria to about the same extent in HbAA and HbAS subjects, but no close correlation existed between haemoglobin level and parasite density. Details of the G6PD classification and the effect of malaria on enzyme activity are discussed.