Effect of Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum Parasitaemia on Platelets Thrombogenicity in Blood Donors
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion
Abstract
Currently, blood donors in Ghana are not
screened for malaria parasites. Therefore, this study
assessed platelet thrombogenicity in blood donors infected
asymptomatically with Plasmodium falciparum and the
relationship between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa),
8-iso-prostaglandin F2a oxidative stress biomarker (8-
iso-PG2a), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and D-dimer, and
platelet thrombogenes levels. Haematology analyser was
used to enumerate platelet count and platelet indices in 80
P. falciparum infected blood donors and 160 matched noninfected
controls. Replicate serum levels of von Willebrand
Factor (vWF), platelet factor 4 (PF4), P-selectin thrombogenic
factors as well as TNF-a and 8-iso-PG2a were
determined using enzyme immuno-assay while high sensitive
hs-CRP and D-dimer concentrations were determined
by fluorescent immunoassay. The geometric mean of parasite density in malaria infected donors was 1784 parasites/
lL (505-2478 parasites/lL). This led to significant
increase in the mean levels of 8-iso-PG2a, hs-CRP, TNF-a
and D-dimer. However, PF4, P-selectin were significantly
lower in infected donors while vWF levels did not differ
significantly among the groups even though lower levels
were observed in the infected donors. Significant direct
relationship existed between both P-selectin and PF4 and
platelet count, and plateletcrit and platelet large cell ratio
whereas these thrombogenic factors varied inversely to
8-iso-PG2a, TNF-a and hs-CRP. Relative thrombocytopaenia
was associated with significant reduction in
P-selectin and platelet factor 4 levels together with
increased 8-iso-PG2a, hs-CRP, TNF-a and D-dimer levels.
Taken together, it is recommended that all P. falciparum
infected blood donors should be deferred.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Platelet thrombogenicity, Platelet factor 4, P-selectin, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a, Thrombocytopaenia, Blood donors