Study of Iron Absorption and Utilization in Asymptomatic Malaria
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Anemia is still a main public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Anemic women have an
increased maternal and perinatal mortality and anemic adults have diminished work capacity.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the etiology of anemia is multifactoral; the major causes are low
dietary bioavailability and chronic parasitic infections such as malaria. These causes are
likely to interact because infection and infection-associated inflammation may impair the
utilization and absorption of iron. Therefore, the control of parasite infections may be
important to improve iron bioavailability from foods.
Malaria infections are endemic in northern Benin. To investigate the contribution of
asymptomatic malaria (a positive blood smear for malarial parasites but without clinical
symptoms of fever, headache or malaise) to anemia, we are planning a human iron absorption
study in Benin. We will recruit adults with asymptomatic malaria infection. The iron
absorption and utilization of the study subjects will be studied while infected, then they
will be treated to clear their infections, and then iron absorption and utilization will be
restudied. Iron absorption will be determined by incorporation of labeled iron into
erythrocytes, 14 days after the administration of a test meal containing labeled iron (stable
isotope technique). Subjects will be men and non-pregnant, non-breastfeeding women with a
body weight < 65 kg and between the age of 18 - 30 years.
The results of this study will provide important information on the influence of malaria
infections on iron absorption and utilization in humans. The study will provide insight into
the potential necessity of malaria control to ensure iron bioavailability from foods in
developing countries.