Nutritional status, globulin titers, and parasitic infections of two populations of Tanzanian school children

Abstract

Two schools in rural Tanzania were surveyed regarding the pupils' nutrition (weight and height), serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE), autoantibodies, malaria antibodies, hepatitis B antigenemia, and fecal and urinary parasites. The survey attempted to quantify the relative importance of undernutrition and parasitic infestation in determining the serological abnormalities found. Of all the children surveyed 69% were undernourished (less than 80% of expected weight for age); 63% had fecal parasites and 38% had urinary schistosomiasis. Serum IgG and IgM concentrations were raised and the serum IgE concentration was strikingly raised (mean 4990IU/ml). Elevated serum IgE was associated with ascariasis. Autoantibodies were common but no autoimmune disease was detected. Notably there was a 35% prevalence of reticulin antibody. This reticulin antibody positivity correlated with increased malaria antibody concentrations. Reduced malaria antibody concentration was significantly associated with hepatitis B antigenemia. The study illustrates that parasites, notably malaria, are important determinants of the serum antibodies of children in the tropics and suggests that mild undernutrition has little effect.

Factors associated with malaria parasitaemia, malnutrition, and anaemia among HIV-exposed and unexposed Ugandan infants: a cross-sectional survey

“…Some studies suggest a protective effect against malaria for wasted children [18] and children with stunting [19]. Other studies have found either no association between malnutrition and malaria [20-22] or even an increased risk of malaria among stunted [5,23] and underweight children [4]. In this population of very young HIV negative infants, no association between measures of malnutrition and malaria parasitaemia was observed.…”

Nutritional Modulation of Malaria Morbidity and Mortality

“…This could be interpreted as a synergistic effect if malnutrition suppresses antibody response to malaria or possibly antagonistic if malnutrition protects against infection such that antibodies are not produced. In Tanzania, there was no effect of nutritional status on anti-parasite antibody levels [49]. A study in Burkina Faso found no association between parasite prevalence and nutritional status [50].…”

Elevated prevalence of malnutrition and malaria among school-aged children and adolescents in war-ravaged South Sudan

“…7,8 However, this interaction between malnutrition and malaria is complex and varies depending on the definitions and indicators used for malnutrition measurements. [9][10][11] More specifically, the literature has supported that stunting (low height-forage), the indicator of chronic malnutrition, may increase the risk of malaria. 12 Whereas wasting (low weight-forheight), the indicator of acute malnutrition, appears to be associated with a decreased risk of malaria.…”