Malaria-induced anaemia and serum micronutrients in asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infected patients

Interaction between malaria, anaemia and malnutrition is poorly understood in asymptomatic malaria patients. This information is important in the management of malaria infection in many endemic regions in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria parasitaemia, full blood counts and serum levels of essential micronutrients particularly iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) of the patients attending Health Centres in Ilorin, Kwara state were investigated using microscope, auto-haemanalyzer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer respectively. A total of 123 (55.2%) of our study population were positive of Plasmodium falciparum. Infection was age-specific (p < 0.0001), and a significant proportion (88.6%) of malaria infected patients were 28.5% mild, 45.5% moderate and 14.6% severely anaemic. The severity of anaemia increases as parasite density increases. Analysis of serum micronutrients revealed a significant low level of iron (3.72 mg/l), copper (2.05 mg/l) and zinc (3.67 mg/l) in infected patients (p < 0.0001); which further increased their anaemic condition. This study confirmed a significant relationship between severity of anaemia and nutritional deficiency in the pathogenesis of malaria infection. We therefore, recommend that immunomodulation potential of micronutrients may be essential in the management of malaria infection.