Metal Binding Acute Phase Proteins And Trace Elements In Nigerian Children With Urinary Schistosomiasis

Fifty-five Nigerian children with urinary schistosomiasis (USS) and 34 apparently healthy children of matched ages and sexes were considered for this study. In these children, metal binding acute phase proteins (transferrin and caeruloplasmin) and trace elements were measured by single radial immunodiffusion and atomic absorption spectrophotometry respectively. The result shows that Cd, Mn, albumin and transferrin were reduced (p<0.01, p>0.20, p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively) while Fe, Cu and caeruloplasmin were raised (p<0.01, p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively) in USS subjects when compared with the controls. Low levels of transferrin might be responsible for raised level of plasma Fe, which is in turn modulated by caeruloplasmin. It may be concluded that trace elements and antioxidants are involved in the pathogenesis of USS.