PLoS ONE (Jan 2023)

Serum anti-erythropoietin antibodies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and anaemia: A case-control study in northern Ghana.

  • Charles Nkansah,
  • Simon Bannison Bani,
  • Kofi Mensah,
  • Samuel Kwasi Appiah,
  • Felix Osei-Boakye,
  • Gabriel Abbam,
  • Samira Daud,
  • Eugene Mensah Agyare,
  • Peace Esenam Agbadza,
  • Charles Angnataa Derigubah,
  • Dorcas Serwaa,
  • Francis Atoroba Apodola,
  • Yeduah Quansah,
  • Rahama Issah,
  • Samuel Yennuloom Dindiok,
  • Felix Ejike Chukwurah

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283427
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 3
p. e0283427

Abstract

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BackgroundAnaemia in pregnancy is common in underdeveloped countries, and malaria remains the predominant cause of the condition in Ghana. Anti-erythropoietin (anti-EPO) antibody production may be implicated in the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria-related anaemia in pregnancy. This study ascertained the prevalence of anti-EPO antibody production and evaluated the antibodies' relationship with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and malaria-related anaemia in pregnancy.MethodsThis hospital-based case-control study recruited a total of 85 pregnant women (55 with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and 30 controls without malaria). Venous blood was taken from participants for thick and thin blood films for malaria parasite microscopy. Complete blood count (CBC) analyses were done using an automated haematology analyzer. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels and anti-EPO antibodies. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.0.ResultsHaemoglobin (pConclusionThe prevalence of anti-EPO antibodies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum malaria was high. Plasmodium falciparum parasite density and younger age could stimulate the production of anti-EPO antibodies, and the antibodies may contribute to the development of malarial anaemia in pregnancy. Screening for anti-EPO antibodies should be considered in pregnant women with P. falciparum malaria.