Soluble transferrin receptors in malaria.

OBJECTIVE To determine the concentration of soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) in patients with malaria. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional, analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Baqai Institute of Haematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, from December 2009 to April 2010. METHODOLOGY Twenty samples from normal male and female subjects each were drawn for establishing the reference range while 38 from patients with malaria (with or without anaemia) sTfR centration was determined. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS Out of 38 patients, 4 had iron deficiency anaemia while 34 patients were without anaemia. Mean sTfR level in the control group was 33.53 ± 4.38 nmol/l. In patients with malaria without iron deficiency anaemia, mean sTfR concentration was 30.84 ± 5.40 nmol/l. Patients with malaria and concomitant iron deficiency anaemia had mean sTfR level of 101.67 ± 11.69 nmol/l. Comparison of sTfR in normal subjects and in patients with malaria showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.208). Statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed in patients with malaria and concomitant IDA as compared to normal control group. CONCLUSION Malaria without concomitant iron deficiency anaemia had near normal sTfR levels. While those with concomitant iron deficiency anaemia had significant higher level of sTfR. This concludes that these receptors are not affected in malaria alone.