Investigation on the Methaemoglobin Concentration of Three Human Erythrocyte Genotypes Infected With Plasmodium falciparum.

Investigation to ascertain the levels of methaemoglobin concentration of three human erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) obtained from apparently healthy and clinically confirmed malarious subjects/volunteers was carried out. Spectrophotometric method was used for the determination of erythrocyte methaemoglobin concentration. The mean (±S.D) methaemoglobin concentration, expressed as percentage (Met.Hb %) of total haemoglobin concentration of three erythrocyte was in the order: HbAA HbAS HbSS. There was no significant difference (p 0.05) between methaemoglobin concentrations of HbAA and HbAS erythrocyte of nonmalarious human subjects/volunteers. Erythrocyte obtained from blood sample of malarious human subjects/volunteers exhibited significantly (p 0.05) higher levels of methaemoglobin concentrations than those of non-malarious individuals, irrespective of their genotype and gender. In a similar manner, P. falciparum infected erythrocyte of malarious male individuals contained significantly (p 0.05) higher methaemoglobin concentration than the female group. Furthermore, with exception of HbAS erythrocytes, the other two red cell genotypes (HbAA and HbSS) showed significant difference (p 0.05) in methaemoglobin content between malarious male and female subjects/volunteers. The study suggests that erythrocyte methaemoglobin evaluation might be a reliable biochemical marker and possess promising rational for diagnostic potential in malaria.