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. 2023 Mar 29;18(3):e0283427.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283427. eCollection 2023.

Serum anti-erythropoietin antibodies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and anaemia: A case-control study in northern Ghana

Charles Nkansah  1   2 , Simon Bannison Bani  3 , Kofi Mensah  1   2 , Samuel Kwasi Appiah  1   2 , Felix Osei-Boakye  4 , Gabriel Abbam  1 , Samira Daud  1 , Eugene Mensah Agyare  3 , Peace Esenam Agbadza  3 , Charles Angnataa Derigubah  5 , Dorcas Serwaa  6 , Francis Atoroba Apodola  7 , Yeduah Quansah  3 , Rahama Issah  3 , Samuel Yennuloom Dindiok  3 , Felix Ejike Chukwurah  2
Affiliations

Serum anti-erythropoietin antibodies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and anaemia: A case-control study in northern Ghana

Charles Nkansah et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is common in underdeveloped countries, and malaria remains the predominant cause of the condition in Ghana. Anti-erythropoietin (anti-EPO) antibody production may be implicated in the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria-related anaemia in pregnancy. This study ascertained the prevalence of anti-EPO antibody production and evaluated the antibodies' relationship with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and malaria-related anaemia in pregnancy.

Methods: This hospital-based case-control study recruited a total of 85 pregnant women (55 with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and 30 controls without malaria). Venous blood was taken from participants for thick and thin blood films for malaria parasite microscopy. Complete blood count (CBC) analyses were done using an automated haematology analyzer. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels and anti-EPO antibodies. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Haemoglobin (p<0.001), RBC (p<0.001), HCT (p = 0.006) and platelet (p<0.001) were significantly lower among pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Of the 85 participants, five (5.9%) had anti-EPO antibodies in their sera, and the prevalence of anti-EPO antibody production among the Plasmodium falciparum-infected pregnant women was 9.1%. Plasmodium falciparum-infected pregnant women with anti-EPO antibodies had lower Hb (p<0.001), RBC (p<0.001), and HCT (p<0.001), but higher EPO levels (p<0.001). Younger age (p = 0.013) and high parasite density (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with Plasmodium falciparum-related anti-EPO antibodies production in pregnancy. Also, younger age (p = 0.039) and anti-EPO antibody production (p = 0.012) related to the development of Plasmodium falciparum malaria anaemia in pregnancy.

Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-EPO antibodies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum malaria was high. Plasmodium falciparum parasite density and younger age could stimulate the production of anti-EPO antibodies, and the antibodies may contribute to the development of malarial anaemia in pregnancy. Screening for anti-EPO antibodies should be considered in pregnant women with P. falciparum malaria.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Serum erythropoietin levels among pregnant women stratified by the presence or absence of P. falciparum malaria.
EPO = Erythropoietin, p/μL = Parasite per Microlitre. Data were compared using Mann Whitney U-Test. p<0.05 was considered significant.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Association between serum erythropoietin levels and P. falciparum parasite density among pregnant women.
**Correlation was significant at 0.01 level, EPO = Erythropoietin. Spearman correlation. p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Prevalence of serum anti-EPO antibodies among (a) the Study participants and (b) P. falciparum-infected pregnant women.
EPO = Erythropoietin.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Association between serum anti-erythropoietin antibodies and P. falciparum parasite density among pregnant women.
Anti-EPO = Anti-Erythropoietin, p/μL = Parasite per Microlitre. Data were compared using Mann Whitney U-Test. p<0.05 was considered significant.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Serum erythropoietin levels of the P. falciparum-infected pregnant women stratified by the presence or absence of serum anti-erythropoietin antibodies.
EPO = Erythropoietin; IU/L = International Unit per Litre. Data were compared using Mann Whitney U-Test. p<0.05 was considered significant.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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