title: [Evaluation of the genotoxic effect of malaria in a cohort of patients in Medellín and Quibdó].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During malaria infection, both parasite and host are under the effects of oxidative stress due to the increased production of reactive oxygen species, which can induce DNA damage by its genotoxic effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate genotoxic effects in human lymphocytes in a cohort of patients with malaria from Medellin and Quibdó.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an observational cross sectional study in 100 individuals with malaria and 100 healthy controls. Patients infected with Plasmodium consulting the Institute Colombiano of Medicina Tropical of Medellin and the Hospital Ismael Roldán Valencia of Quibdó were included. Genotoxic effects (genetic damage) was analysed by electrophoresis using alkaline single cell gel (Commet assay).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average of tail length of malaria samples (26.9±9.8) was significantly higher than of controls (14.8±3.2) (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study population, malaria infection was associated with increased genotoxicity, while other variables such as smoking, antimalarial treatment, and occupation were not.
authors.forename: Diana P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Cuesta
authors.forename: Lina M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Mónica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Massaro
authors.forename: Camilo A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Agudelo
authors.forename: Isabel C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Hurtado
authors.forename: Diana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Ana I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.forename: Johan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lopera
authors.forename: Verónica A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Arango
authors.forename: Isabel C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ortiz
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003105:Colombia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum; D010966:Plasmodium vivax; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking