Malaria-induced anaemia and serum micronutrients in asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infected patients
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Date
2017-07-15
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Abstract
Abstract Interaction between malaria, anaemia and mal
nutrition is poorly understood in asymptomatic malaria
patients. This information is important in the management
of malaria infection in many endemic regions in sub-Sa
haran Africa. Malaria parasitaemia, full blood counts and
serum levels of essential micronutrients particularly iron
(Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) of the patients attending
Health Centres in Ilorin, Kwara state were investigated
using microscope, auto-haemanalyzer and atomic absorp
tion spectrophotometer respectively. A total of 123
(55.2%) of our study population were positive of Plas
modium falciparum. Infection was age-specific
(p\0.0001), and a significant proportion (88.6%) of
malaria infected patients were 28.5% mild, 45.5% moder
ate and 14.6% severely anaemic. The severity of anaemia
increases as parasite density increases. Analysis of serum
micronutrients revealed a significant low level of iron
(3.72 mg/l), copper (2.05 mg/l) and zinc (3.67 mg/l) in
infected patients (p \ 0.0001); which further increased
their anaemic condition. This study confirmed a significant
relationship between severity of anaemia and nutritional
deficiency in the pathogenesis of malaria infection. We
therefore, recommend that immunomodulation potential of
micronutrients may be essential in the management of
malaria infection.