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Thrombopoietin in Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Author(s) -
Kreil Anna,
Wenisch Christoph,
Brittenham Gary,
Looareesuwan Sornchai,
PeckRadosavljevic Markus
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2000.02096.x
Subject(s) - thrombopoietin , malaria , platelet , plasmodium falciparum , medicine , thrombopoiesis , immunology , megakaryocyte , biology , haematopoiesis , genetics , stem cell
Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the key growth factor for platelet production and is elevated in states of platelet depletion. As thrombocytopenia is a common finding in malaria, we analysed TPO regulation before, during and after antimalarial treatment. Before treatment, TPO serum levels were significantly higher in patients with severe malaria ( n = 35) than in patients with uncomplicated malaria ( n = 44; P = 0·024), normalizing within 14–21 d of therapy. The rapid normalization of TPO levels and increase in low peripheral platelet counts after treatment indicate that the biosynthesis of TPO and its regulation in malaria patients are normal.