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Malaria-associated cytokine changes in the placenta of women with pre-term deliveries in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Authors :
Suguitan AL Jr
Cadigan TJ
Nguyen TA
Zhou A
Leke RJ
Metenou S
Thuita L
Megnekou R
Fogako J
Leke RG
Taylor DW
Source :
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene [Am J Trop Med Hyg] 2003 Dec; Vol. 69 (6), pp. 574-81.
Publication Year :
2003

Abstract

The prevalence of pre-term deliveries (PTDs) is increased in women who become infected with Plasmodium falciparum during pregnancy. Because prematurity is a risk factor for newborns, it is important to identify conditions that contribute to malaria-associated PTDs. Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes sequester in the placenta and attract activated mononuclear cells that secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines. Increased inflammatory cytokine levels in other microbial infections are associated with PTDs. To determine if such is the case in women with placental malaria, concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-10 were measured in placental plasma of 391 malaria-infected and -uninfected Cameroonian women with premature and full-term deliveries. Risk factors for malaria-associated PTDs included peripheral and placental parasitemias greater than 1%, maternal anemia, elevated IL-10 levels, and low TNF-alpha:IL-10 ratios due to over-expression of IL-10. Alterations in cytokine levels may contribute to PTDs through the induction of anemia and/or altering cellular immune responses required for eliminating placental parasites.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0002-9637
Volume :
69
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
14740871