Change of serum transferrin receptor due to malarial infection, an experiment in Plasmodium gallinaceum infected chicken model.
OBJECTIVE
The serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration in an individual reflects the extent of erythropoietic activity and is considered as an useful marker of iron deficiency independent of concurrent inflammation or infection. However, data on the impact of malaria on this parameter are ambiguous.


METHODS
Here we performed an animal experiment to study the chronological change of serum transferrin receptor due to infection of Plasmodium gallinaceum. In this pilot study, we performed control experimental infection of P. gallinaceum to four newborn chicken from the same batch. We collected the venous blood samples from all chicken on Day 7 and 14. All samples were analysed for sTfR 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 to 3.52 mg/L). The average level of sTfR level of the experimental chicken on Day 7 was 5.42 +/- 2.19 mg/L (range 3.22 to13.94 mg/L).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Wiwanitkit
Viroj
V
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. wviroj@yahoo.com
Paritpokee
Nara
N
Nithiuthai
Suwannee
S
Boonchalermvichian
Chaiyaporn
C
Bhokaisawan
Narudee
N
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D008289:Malaria, Avian / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010964:Plasmodium gallinaceum; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D011990:Receptors, Transferrin