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Host-parasite interaction in severe and uncomplicated malaria infection in ghanaian children

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Abstract

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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Data availability

All data used in the preparation of this manuscript are duly included (captured) in this manuscript (in the results section).

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Acknowledgements

Manuscript was curled from author’s (Daniel Sai Squire) postgraduate thesis titled “Malaria Parasitaemia Levels in Relation to Antioxidant Enzyme Levels in Severe Malaria Amongst Ghanaian Children” submitted to the University of Ghana in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the MPhil microbiology degree (https://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/5261?show=full). All data generated or analyzed during the study are included in this manuscript. We thank the study participants and their parents/guardians for providing us with the samples to work with. We also thank Princess Marie hospital, Achimota hospital and Ussher polyclinic, all in Accra, Ghana for their support throughout the study period. Also, staff of Medical Laboratory Science Department, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, are thanked for their technical support.

Funding

The study was supported by a grant from the University of Ghana Research Fund (No. URF/4/007/2011–2012) awarded to Richard Harry Asmah. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Richard H. Asmah and Daniel S. Squire contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana

    Daniel Sai Squire

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

    Richard H. Asmah

  3. Department of Pharmaceutics and Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Selorme Adupko

  4. Department of Basic Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

    David Adedia

  5. Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Eric Kyei-Baafour

  6. Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Accra Technical University, Accra, Ghana

    Ebenezer K. Aidoo

  7. Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana

    Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi

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  1. Richard H. Asmah
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Contributions

Richard H. Asmah and Daniel S. Squire both contributed equally to the paper, especially on the conceptualisation and performance of the assay. Selorme Adupko, David Adedia, and Eric Kyei-Baafour helped on data analysis. Ebenezer K. Aidoo and Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi helped on the writing of the paper. Richard H. Asmah, Daniel S. Squire and Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi worked on the study design as well as on the writing of the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel Sai Squire.

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Asmah, R.H., Squire, D.S., Adupko, S. et al. Host-parasite interaction in severe and uncomplicated malaria infection in ghanaian children. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-024-04804-z

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