Maternal Serum Levels of Alpha Tumour Necrotic Factor, Interleukin 10, Interleukin 6 and Interleukin 4 in Malaria Infected Pregnant Women Based on Their Gestational Age in Southeast, Nigeria
Obeagu, Emmanuel Ifeanyi *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Esimai, Bessie Nonyelum
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Ekelozie, Ifeoma Stella
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Asogwa Eucharia Ijego
Department of Physiotherapy, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Amaeze Augustine Amaeze
Department of Physiotherapy, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Chukwu, Stella Nchekwubedi
Department of Nursing Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Amaeze, Florence Ngozi
Department of Public Health Education, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
Ugwuja, Mabel Chikodili
Department of Radiography and Radiation Science, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Chukwu, Sunday Kyrian
Department of Internal Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Malaria has been reported as a condition caused by infestation with Plasmodium parasite species, is a major public health problem globally especially in developing countries like Nigeria. This study was carried out in Federal Medical Centre Umuahia in Abia State, Nigeria. A study was done to determine the maternal serumlevels of alpha tumour necrotic factor, interleukin 10, interleukin 6and interleukin 4 in malaria infected pregnant women based on their gestational age in Southeast, Nigeria. A total of 150 subjects between the ages of 18-45 years were recruited for the study comprising of fifty (50) subjects each of the 3 trimesters. Commercial ELISA Kit by MELSIN Medical Co Limited was used to measure all the cytokines. The results of Table 1 showed no significant difference of TNF-α (p=0.346), IL-10 (p=0.059), IL-6 (p=0.811) and IL-4 (p=0.257) of malaria infected pregnant women at first trimester and second trimester respectively. The results of Table 2 showed no significant difference of TNF-α (p=0.642), IL-10 (p=0.678), IL-6 (p=0.551) and IL-4 (p=0.280) of malaria infected pregnant women at first trimester and third trimester respectively. The results of Table 2 showed no significant difference of TNF-α (p=0.062), IL-10 (p=0.016), IL-6 (p=0.352) and IL-4 (p=0.914) of malaria infected pregnant women at first trimester and third trimester respectively. The study showed no changes in the cytokines studied among the malaria infected pregnant women based on gestational ages except when IL-10 was compared between the subjects on second trimester and third trimester. This study shows that malaria infection does not changes these cytokines in pregnant women based on gestational ages except the il-10 when compared at second trimester and third trimester but changes when compared at other trimesters.
Keywords: Alpha tumour necrotic factor, interleukin 10, interleukin 6 and interleukin 4 malaria infected pregnant women, gestational age.