ISSN 2167-0404
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 397-406, March, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Hematological and temperature profile in micronutrient based combination therapy of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in under five’s
Iribhogbe O. I.1*, Agbaje E. O.2, Oreagba I. A.2, Aina O. O.3, Emordi J. E.1, Akaomen J. E.4 and Nmorsi O. P. G.5
1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
3Malaria Research Unit, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba Lagos State, Nigeria.
4Faith-dome Medical Centre, Ekpoma Edo State, Nigeria.
5Department of Zoology, Parasitology Unit, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 19 December, 2012
Abstract
This study was conducted to elucidate the influence of some selected antioxidant micronutrient combination on hematological parameters in the course and therapeutics of malaria in early childhood. 150 participants (6 months to 5 years) diagnosed with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were recruited for the study from two Health Centres in Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria, after obtaining ethical clearance from the ethical review Board of the Edo State Ministry of Health. The participants were randomized into 15 cohorts of 10 patients each. Additionally, 20 apparently healthy volunteers were used as control for the hematological parameters assessed. The patients in the active comparator group were administered with oral doses of standard artemisinin based combination therapy, while the interventional cohorts were administered varying combinations of antimalarials (Artesunate or Amodiaquine) and micronutrients (vitamin A, E, zinc and selenium). A comparative analysis between the total white blood cell (WBC) count on day 0 and day 28 post treatment revealed a significant increase in all the micronutrient treated groups on day 28 (p<0.05; r = 0.76; P<0.01). In addition, there was a negative correlation between the parasite density, packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin concentration in the study population (r = -0.102; P >0.01; r = -0.08; P>0.01 respectively). Conclusively, the use of varying bi-combination of antioxidant micronutrients as adjuvants to standard antimalarial agents has immunomodulating potential that may be of benefit in malaria therapeutics.
Key words: Immunomodulation, hematological profile, adjuvant therapy, micronutrient combination, malaria.