interrrelations between malaria, malnutrition and intestinal parasitism in colombian children

Abstract

This paper reviews Colombian data as well as Grupo Malaria (Universidad de Antioquia) findings on the relationship between malaria, malnutrition and immune response, observed in children (4-11 year old) of Turbo, El Bagre and Zaragoza. These results and interpretations articulate with other studies about such relationships, including intestinal parasites. Emphasis is made on the association of malaria, intestinal parasites and malnutrition (chronic malnutrition, vitamin A deficit), that is explored through its articulation with the immune system. Clinical application (individual) and epidemiological (collective) recommendations are formulated towards vitamin A supplementation and use of wide spectrum antihelmintic therapy.

In Turbo and El Bagre-Zaragoza: 1) malaria frequency during 1996-2000 registered annual parasite indexes of 39 (Turbo) and 156 (El Bagre- Zaragoza); 2) chronic malnutrition risk (height/ age index) was 63% in children aged 3-11; 3) anemia was observed in 26% of malaric children and in 17% of the non-malaric ones; 4) retinol was low (<0,3 µg/ml) in 65% of children with malaria and in 35% of children without malaria; 5) apoprotein A-1 values were abnormally low in non-malaric children but they were lower in malaric children; 6) interleukin 10 levels were significantly higher in 96% of the malaric children (4-9 year old) when compared to non-malaric children and to normal values; 7) total and specific anti-Plasmodium IgE and TNF-α were abnormally high in children of both municipalities; 8) among healthy teachers and nursing students aged 18-44, intestinal parasites were observed in 97%, while intestinal pathogenic parasites were detected in 42%. In 5 year old children of Turbo presence of pathogenic intestinal parasites was detected in 30-35%, with predominance of G. lamblia (20%); 9) oxidative stress was increased in adult, non-complicated, malaria patients from Turbo in cases of vivax or falciparum malaria.