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Although antioxidant status has been implicated in the pathogenesis of malaria, these factors need further characterization. A longitudinal study was conducted involving 273 children 1-10 years of age with acute, uncomplicated malaria in Kampala, Uganda. Plasma vitamin A, carotenoids, and vitamin E were measured at enrollment and on day 7. Malaria parasitemia was measured at enrollment, on day 3, and on day 7. Malaria parasitemia had completely cleared in 57.1% and 85.3% of children by day 3 and day 7, respectively. Plasma vitamin A, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and vitamin E were depressed at enrollment and increased by day 7. Multivariate analyses showed that higher plasma lycopene concentrations at enrollment were associated with clearance of parasitemia between enrollment and day 3 (odds ratio = 1.46, 95% confidence interval = 1.07-2.06, per 0.10 micromol/L of lycopene). This study suggests that children with acute malaria have depressed plasma concentrations of antioxidants, and that higher plasma lycopene is associated with more rapid clearance of malaria parasitemia.

Original publication

DOI

10.4269/ajtmh.2001.65.115

Type

Journal article

Journal

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene

Publication Date

08/2001

Volume

65

Pages

115 - 119

Addresses

Department of International Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.

Keywords

Animals, Humans, Plasmodium falciparum, Parasitemia, Malaria, Falciparum, Acute Disease, Carotenoids, beta Carotene, Vitamin A, Xanthophylls, Lutein, Vitamin E, Antioxidants, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Uganda, Female, Male, Zeaxanthins, Lycopene