Effect of malaria on soluble transferrin receptor levels in Tanzanian infants.

C Menendez Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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L L Quinto Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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E Kahigwa Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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L Alvarez Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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R Fernandez Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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N Gimenez Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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D Schellenberg Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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J J Aponte Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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M Tanner Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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P L Alonso Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2001.65.138
Volume/Issue:
Volume 65: Issue 2
Page(s):
138–142
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The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in malaria endemic areas is complicated by the influence of the infection on the laboratory tests conventionally used to assess iron status. Determination of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels has been shown to be a sensitive indicator of iron deficiency in adults and is not affected by a range of infectious and inflammatory conditions. The utility of sTfR levels in the diagnosis of iron deficiency in malaria endemic areas remains unresolved. Three hundred and fourteen infants in a rural area of southern Tanzania living under conditions of intense and perennial malaria transmission were studied to determine the utility of sTfR plasma levels in the assessment of iron deficiency anemia. Independent of the presence of anemia, malaria parasitemia was associated with a significant increase in sTfR plasma levels that were even higher than those found in iron deficiency anemia. We conclude that the measurement of sTfR levels does not have a role in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in young children exposed to malaria infection.

Author Notes

Published Online:
Aug 2001
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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