Abstract

RATE OF EXPRESSION OF ANTI-DOUBLE STRANDED DNA ANTIBODIES AMONG PATIENTS WITH MALARIA INFECTION, PRESENTED TO SELECTED PRIVATE CLINICS IN KHARTOUM STATE

Mahdi Elfaki A.* and Kafi S. K.

Abstract

Background: According to the world wide malaria report in 2011, malaria is prevalent in 106 countries (mostly in tropical and subtropical areas). In most of these areas malaria is perennial problem. Annually malaria is reported to infect 250 – 660 million and kills more than a million cases worldwide (mostly among African children). Antidouble stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) is one of the group of antibodies produced against extractable nuclear antigens called antinuclear antibodies. The mechanism of generation of these antibodies is not well known however anti-dsDNA antibodies are incredibly specific for SLE and are therefore used for diagnosis of SLE. Auto-antibodies are detected in patients with acute malaria and in sera of healthy subjects, living in endemic areas. A correlation was found between the presence of auto-antibodies and high titer of anti-malaria antibodies (antibodies suggest that acute malaria trigger generation of auto-antibodies). This study aimed to find relation between anti-dsDNA and infection with malaria. Methods: Anti-dsDNA was assayed in blood of 30 patients presenting with malaria and healthy controls using Crithidia luccilie florescent test (Euroimmun), staining of the kinetoplast considered as positive. Results: Anti-dsDNA antibodies were detected in 25 of the30 malaria patients giving a percentage of 83.3% compared to only one (3.3%) of the control group. These results revealed a statistically significant difference in the percentage of expression of the anti dsDNA between patients with malaria and the healthy control group. Conclusion: Malaria can be considered as possible cause of auto-immune disease.

Keywords: Malaria, anti-double strand DNA antibodies.