Serum cytokine TNF-alpha and hemoglobin levels in Plasmodium falciparum malaria – A correlative study in coastal districts of Odisha

Background and objectivesThis study was conducted to assess the correlation between TNF alpha levels and Hemoglobin in patients affected by Plasmodium falciparum along with sex and age matched healthy controls.MethodsThis study included 32 patients of P. falciparum malaria, and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Blood samples were drawn from malaria patients admitted to medicine ward along with healthy controls and transferred to the Biochemistry department for the routine hematological parameters and ELISA for TNF-alpha, IL-12 and IL-4.ResultsThe levels of TNF-alpha were significantly elevated in falciparum malaria compared to healthy controls. Further Hb levels in Pf malaria showed significant decline compared to healthy controls. A strong negative correlation was observed between TNF-alpha and Hb levels in Pf malaria.ConclusionThe results indicate that in falciparum are characterized by up regulation of TNF-alpha and down regulation of Hb levels. Present study shows close association between severe anemia and high TNF-alpha levels.