Serum tumour necrosis factor in children suffering from plasmodium falciparum infection
Abstract
The involvement of tumour necrOSlS factor (TNF) In
human malaria was investigated in children infected
with P.lasmodium falciparum in Kilifi and in uninfected
children in the same community. For these
investigations, a total of 71 children aged between 4
months and 6.8 years with an average age of 2.9 years
were enrolled. Fourteen of these children were
uninfected, twenty three had non-severe malaria and
thirty four had severe malaria.
TNF levels were determined using both a
cytotoxicity assay and an immunoassay (ELISA). Glucose
levels were determined by Glucose oxidase method.
Parasitaemia was determined from thin blood films
stained by Giemsa stain. Formol-ether concentration
method for stool was used for the examination of
helminth ova and protozoan cysts.
High TNF levels were.seen more frequently in
severe malaria patients than in either non severe
malaria or uninfected children (p<O.OOl and p<O.OOOOl ,.
respectively). TNF levels increased directly with
increasing Plasmodium falciparum parasite densities
(r=O.54, p=O.002). However TNF levels were equally
elevated in children with cerebral malaria and those
with other signs of severe malaria. Children with
hyperparasitaemia, anaemia and age <3 years had
elevated TNF levels on univariate analysis. There was
no correlation between the TNF levels and blood glucose
of the 34 children suffering from severe Plasmodium
falciparum infection. In 3 patients suffering from
cerebral malaria TNF levels were reduced to normal
after 3 days of treatment.
In this study high TNF levels were associated with
several manifestations of severe malaria, and the data
also indicated that moderate TNF response to Plasmodium
falciparum infection is not necessarily deleterious to
the host.
Citation
MSc.Publisher
Department of Zoology, University of Nairobi
Description
Degree of Master of Science