title: Cells and mediators of inflammation (C-reactive protein, nitric oxide, platelets and neutrophils) in the acute and convalescent phases of uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum infection.
abstract: The haematological changes and release of soluble mediators, particularly C-reactive protein (CRP) and nitric oxide (NO), during uncomplicated malaria have not been well studied, especially in Brazilian areas in which the disease is endemic. Therefore, the present study examined these factors in acute (day 0) and convalescent phase (day 15) patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. Haematologic parameters were measured using automated cell counting, CRP levels were measured with ELISA and NO plasma levels were measured by the Griess reaction. Our data indicate that individuals with uncomplicated P. vivax and P. falciparum infection presented similar inflammatory profiles with respect to white blood cells, with high band cell production and a considerable degree of thrombocytopaenia during the acute phase of infection. Higher CRP levels were detected in acute P. vivax infection than in acute P. falciparum infection, while higher NO was detected in patients with acute and convalescent P. falciparum infections. Although changes in these mediators cannot predict malaria infection, the haematological aspects associated with malaria infection, especially the roles of platelets and band cells, need to be investigated further.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Josué da Costa
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lima-Junior
authors.forename: Rodrigo Nunes
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rodrigues-da-Silva
authors.forename: Virgínia Araújo
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Fábio Luiz
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Storer
authors.forename: Daiana de Souza
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Perce-da-Silva
authors.forename: Daniela Leite
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fabrino
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Dalma Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Banic
authors.forename: Joseli de
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003289:Convalescence; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002097:C-Reactive Protein