Evaluation of Angiopoietins 1 and 2 in Malaria-Infested Children

Background. Malaria could affect people of all ages, most especially young children. The study evaluated the levels of serum angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) which are critical regulators of endothelial activation and integrity with some hematological parameters (total white blood cell counts (WBC), total red blood cell counts (RBC), platelet counts, and malaria parasite density) in malaria-infected children. Method. A total of 92 blood samples from children between the ages of 6 months to 15 years were analyzed. The samples consisted of 30 cases of severe malaria, 40 cases of uncomplicated malaria, and 22 apparently healthy subjects served as control. Serum Ang-1 and -2 levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The hematological parameters were determined using the WHO standard. Results. There was significant decrease (p