Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Profile of Pregnant Women with Asymptomatic Malaria Parasitemia in Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is still regarded as a public health problem in tropical Africa and is endemic in Nigeria.  Pregnant women and their fetuses are at  greater risk of malaria in endemic areas. Pro-inflammatory  cytokines induced by malaria parasites play vital role in pregnant women’s  immunity to malaria. The  aim of this study was to investigate the level of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Tissue Necrosis Factor  α (TNF-α)  in asymptomatic pregnant women with and without malaria parasite infection in Uyo,  South-South Nigeria. Blood samples of  asymptomatic pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic  at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Uyo and St. Luke’s Hospital,  Anua, Uyo, were analysed  for malaria parasites by microscopy of blood films and for IFN-γ and TNF-α using sandwich ELISA  methods.  Ninety-six pregnant women were recruited of which 84 (87.57 %) were positive for  Plasmodium falciparum. The mean levels of IFN-γ and  TNF-α among malaria-infected women were  significantly higher than levels among uninfected pregnant women. Pregnant women with  asymptomatic parasitemia have higher levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α and may be at risk of fetal  morbidity due to increased levels of  cytokines released as a result of malaria parasite infection.