A Preliminary Study of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) in Placental Malaria

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Keywords:
malaria placenta histopathology IGF-1R

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Sethawud Chaikitgosiyakul
Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Urai Chaisri
Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Parnpen Viriyavejakul
Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Sumate Ampawong
National Laboratory Animal Center, Mahidol University, Salaya
Gareth DH Turner
Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Emsri Pongponratn
Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok;

Abstract

Abstract

Placental malaria continues to be a major health problem, causing low birthweight and maternal  anemia. This study quantified the histopathology of placental malaria by staining sections with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and investigating the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R). Through immunohistochemical staining of one control and two placental malaria cases, and by examining histological slides, placental malaria parasitemia at delivery was found to be 5% and 15%, respectively. Malaria pigment deposition was remarkable. Inflammatory cell infiltration presented in one case only. IGF-1R staining in the control showed strong expression, while placental malaria presented weak expression. The result of this preliminary study shows a need for further investigations with more cases, to confirm that insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis disturbance may represent one mechanism by which placental malaria could lead to restricted fetal growth.

Keywords: malaria, placenta, histopathology, IGF-1R

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 36 No. 1: June 2013
Section
Original Articles