title: Haptoglobin phenotypes and iron status in children living in a malaria endemic area of Kenyan coast.
abstract: Malaria infection may be affected by host genetic factors as well as nutritional status. Iron status and the phenotype of haptoglobin, a heme-binding acute phase reactant may be determinants of malaria parasitemia. A combination of cross sectional studies and longitudinal follow-up were used to describe the association between iron status, C-reactive protein, malaria infections and host genetic factors including; haptoglobin (Hp) phenotypes, in children below 9 years in a malaria endemic area in Coastal Kenya. The prevalence of 0.45 and 0.41, respectively for Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-1 phenotypes was significantly higher than 0.14 for Hp 2-2 phenotype (n=162). Children with Hp 2-2 phenotype showed significantly higher iron storage compared to those with Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-1 phenotypes when children with malaria parasites and high C-reactive protein (>9mg/L) were excluded from the analysis. There were no significant differences in malaria parasite densities among Hp phenotypes but children with Hp 2-2 had lower number of clinical malaria episodes (P=0.045). Taken together, this study shows that the presence of malaria may complicate the interpretation of iron status in children based on their Hp-phenotypes. Further studies will be required to address possible interactions among the various genetic factors and iron status in a malaria endemic setting.
authors: Texas Tech University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, El Paso, TX, USA. alice.nyakeriga@ttuhsc.edu
authors: Alice M
authors: AM
authors: Nyakeriga
authors: Marita
authors: M
authors: Troye-Blomberg
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018512:Parasitemia; D010641:Phenotype; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000502:physiology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006242:Haptoglobins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D007501:Iron