Mechanism of anemia in Schistosoma mansoni-infected school children in Western Kenya

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 Nov;87(5):862-7. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0248. Epub 2012 Sep 17.

Abstract

A better understanding of the mechanism of anemia associated with Schistosoma mansoni infection might provide useful information on how treatment programs are implemented to minimize schistosomiasis-associated morbidity and maximize treatment impact. We used a cross-sectional study with serum samples from 206 Kenyan school children to determine the mechanisms in S. mansoni-associated anemia. Serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor levels were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results suggest that S. mansoni-infected persons are more likely (odds ratio = 3.68, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-10.1) to have levels of serum ferritin (> 100 ng/mL) that are associated with anemia of inflammation (AI) than S. mansoni-uninfected children. Our results suggest that AI is the most common form of anemia in S. mansoni infections. In contrast, the mechanism of anemia in S. mansoni-uninfected children was iron deficiency. Moreover, the prevalence of AI in the study participants demonstrated a significant trend with S. mansoni infection intensity (P < 0.001). Our results are consistent with those observed in S. japonicum-associated anemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / complications*
  • Anemia / physiopathology
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Receptors, Transferrin / blood
  • Schistosoma mansoni / isolation & purification*
  • Schistosomiasis / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis / epidemiology
  • Schistosomiasis / parasitology
  • Social Class

Substances

  • Receptors, Transferrin