Plasma Circulating Nucleic Acids Levels Increase According to the Morbidity of Plasmodium vivax Malaria
Author Information
Author(s): Franklin Bernardo S., Vitorino Barbara L. F., Coelho Helena C., Menezes-Neto Armando, Santos Marina L. S., Campos Fernanda M. F., Brito Cristiana F., Fontes Cor J., Lacerda Marcus V., Carvalho Luzia H.
Primary Institution: Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisa René, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Hypothesis
Can circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) serve as reliable biomarkers for the morbidity of Plasmodium vivax malaria?
Conclusion
Increased plasma CNAs levels in malaria patients indicate their potential as sensitive biomarkers for vivax malaria morbidity.
Supporting Evidence
- Plasma CNAs levels were significantly increased in P. vivax patients compared to healthy donors.
- Plasma CNAs levels correlated with thrombocytopenia in malaria patients.
- CNAs levels decreased to physiological levels after antimalarial treatment.
Takeaway
This study found that higher levels of certain DNA in the blood can show how sick someone is with malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax.
Methodology
Plasma CNAs levels were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR and fluorometric dsDNA quantification.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to the exclusion of patients with mixed infections.
Limitations
The study was limited to a small sample size and specific geographic locations.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 21 P. vivax malaria patients aged 21 to 72, with a male to female ratio of 13 to 8.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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