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Sequential Serum Cytokine Levels of TNF-Alpha, IL-4 and IL-12 are Associated with Prognosis in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

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Abstract

We investigated the prognostic role of TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-12 in a clinically well defined group of Plasmodium falciparum infected patients (n = 32) sequentially from Day 0 to Day 10 with a 2 day interval along with a control group of 16 healthy volunteers of same range of age and sex. Infection with malaria is often fatal because mitochondria are unable to generate enough ATP to maintain normal cellular function. ATP deficiency arises in malaria due to an inability of mitochondria through the effects of inflammatory cytokines on their function, to utilize available oxygen. In our study TNF-alpha and IL-12 levels were significantly elevated but IL-4 level showed persistent decline in Day 0, but subsequent measurement in Day 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 showed persistent decline in levels of TNF-alpha and IL-12, an elevation in IL-4 levels which were associated with disease prognosis of the infected patients. These results again provide evidence that cytokines are very much a dominant partner in malaria pathogenesis with a specific prognostic role.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack, India

    P. C. Mohapatra

  2. Department of Biochemistry, S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India

    Anshuman Sarangi

  3. School of Biotech Sciences, Trident Academy of Creative Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

    Ashok Kumar Sarangi

  4. Department of Medicine, S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India

    R. K. Dalai

  5. Department of Microbiology, S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India

    Debashis Sahoo

Authors
  1. P. C. Mohapatra
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  2. Anshuman Sarangi
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  3. Ashok Kumar Sarangi
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  4. R. K. Dalai
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  5. Debashis Sahoo
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Correspondence to Anshuman Sarangi.

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Mohapatra, P.C., Sarangi, A., Sarangi, A.K. et al. Sequential Serum Cytokine Levels of TNF-Alpha, IL-4 and IL-12 are Associated with Prognosis in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria. Ind J Clin Biochem 29, 321–326 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-013-0359-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-013-0359-3

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