Change of serum transferrin receptor due to malarial infection, an experiment in Plasmodium gallinaceum infected chicken model

• Main Author: Viroj Wiwanitkit, Nara Paritpokee, Suwannee Nithiuthai, Chaiyaporn Boonchalermvichian , Narudee Bhokaisawan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2007-12-01
• Series: Journal of Vector Borne Diseases
• Subjects: Chick; immunofluorimetric assay; malaria; P. gallinaceum; serum transferrin
• Online Access: http://www.mrcindia.org/journal/issues/444255.pdf

Background & objectives: The serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration in an individual reflectsthe extent of erythropoietic activity and is considered as an useful marker of iron deficiencyindependent of concurrent inflammation or infection. However, data on the impact of malaria on thisparameter are ambiguous.Methods: Here we performed an animal experiment to study the chronological change of serumtransferrin receptor due to infection of Plasmodium gallinaceum. In this pilot study, we performedcontrol experimental infection of P. gallinaceum to four newborn chicken from the same batch. Wecollected the venous blood samples from all chicken on Day 7 and 14. All samples were analysed forsTfR level by the immunoturbidimetric assay.Results: The average level of sTfR level of the control chicken was 1.24 + 1.58 mg/L (range 0.18 to3.52 mg/L). The average level of sTfR level of the experimental chicken on Day 7 was 5.42 + 2.19mg/L (range 3.22 to13.94 mg/L).Conclusion: Although the trend of increase was observed but no significance was observed (p >0.05). The results from this pilot study can be a good basic data for the further study in this area.