Background: Malaria has severe effects on pregnancy, and it is a primary cause of maternal and perinatal death in Sudan. This study aimed to investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and CD163 in the placentas of malaria-positive and malaria-negative women and explore their potential association with placental malaria pathogenesis. Methodology: This case-control study involved 54 malaria-positive and 54 malaria-negative pregnant women at Gadarif Hospital, Sudan. Mothers’ body mass index was calculated. Babies were weighed immediately following birth, and maternal hemoglobin concentrations were estimated. Malaria infection was detected using Giemsa-stained blood smears and light microscopy. Maternal, peripheral, and cord blood films were investigated, and immunohistochemical techniques for detecting MIF and CD163 were obtained. Result: No significant difference was observed in MIF and CD163 expression between malaria-positive and malaria-negative placentas (p > 0.05). Clinical parameters, including age, parity, BMI, maternal hemoglobin levels, and neonatal birth weight, showed no significant variation between the groups. Conclusion: The findings suggest that MIF and CD163 expression are not significantly associated with placental malaria in this population. Further research is needed to clarify the immunopathological mechanisms of placental malaria.
References
[1]
Tangpukdee, N., Duangdee, C., Wilairatana, P. and Krudsood, S. (2009) Malaria Diagnosis: A Brief Review. The Korean Journal of Parasitology, 47, 93-102. https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2009.47.2.93
[2]
Adam, I., Adam, G.K., Mohmmed, A.A., Salih, M.M., Ibrahuim, S.A. and Ryan, C.A. (2009) Placental Malaria and Lack of Prenatal Care in an Area of Unstable Malaria Transmission in Eastern Sudan. Journal of Parasitology, 95, 751-752. https://doi.org/10.1645/ge-1912.1
[3]
Adam, I., Babiker, S., Mohmmed, A.A., Salih, M.M., Prins, M.H. and Zaki, Z.M. (2007) Low Body Mass Index, Anaemia and Poor Perinatal Outcome in a Rural Hospital in Eastern Sudan. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 54, 202-204. https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmm110
[4]
Reeder, J.C., Hodder, A.N., Beeson, J.G. and Brown, G.V. (2000) Identification of Glycosaminoglycan Binding Domains in Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 of a Chondroitin Sulfate A-Adherent Parasite. Infection and Immunity, 68, 3923-3926. https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.68.7.3923-3926.2000
[5]
Salih, M.M., Mohammed, A.H., Mohmmed, A.A., Adam, G.K., Elbashir, M.I. and Adam, I. (2011) Monocytes and Macrophages and Placental Malaria Infections in an Area of Unstable Malaria Transmission in Eastern Sudan. Diagnostic Pathology, 6, Article No. 83. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1596-6-83
[6]
Batran, S.E., Salih, M.M., Elhassan, E.M., Mohmmed, A.A. and Adam, I. (2013) CD20, CD3, Placental Malaria Infections and Low Birth Weight in an Area of Unstable Malaria Transmission in Central Sudan. Diagnostic Pathology, 8, Article No. 189. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1596-8-189
[7]
Menendez, C., Ordi, J., Ismail, M.R., Ventura, P.J., Aponte, J.J., Kahigwa, E., et al. (2000) The Impact of Placental Malaria on Gestational Age and Birth Weight. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 181, 1740-1745. https://doi.org/10.1086/315449
[8]
Chaiyaroj, S.C., Rutta, A.S.M., Muenthaisong, K., Watkins, P., Na Ubol, M. and Looareesuwan, S. (2004) Reduced Levels of Transforming Growth Factor-β1, Interleukin-12 and Increased Migration Inhibitory Factor Are Associated with Severe Malaria. Acta Tropica, 89, 319-327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2003.10.010
[9]
Eltayeb, R., Bilal, N., Abass, A., Elhassan, E.M., Mohammed, A. and Adam, I. (2015) Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Placental Malaria Infection in an Area Characterized by Unstable Malaria Transmission in Central Sudan. F1000Research, 4, Article 824. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.7061.1
[10]
Moormann, A.M., Sullivan, A.D., Rochford, R.A., Chensue, S.W., Bock, P.J., Nyirenda, T., et al. (1999) Malaria and Pregnancy: Placental Cytokine Expression and Its Relationship to Intrauterine Growth Retardation. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 180, 1987-1993. https://doi.org/10.1086/315135
[11]
Awandare, G.A., Goka, B., Boeuf, P., Tetteh, J.K.A., Kurtzhals, J.A.L., Behr, C., et al. (2006) Increased Levels of Inflammatory Mediators in Children with Severe Plasmodiumfalciparum Malaria with Respiratory Distress. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 194, 1438-1446. https://doi.org/10.1086/508547
[12]
Mantovani, A., Sica, A., Sozzani, S., Allavena, P., Vecchi, A. and Locati, M. (2004) The Chemokine System in Diverse Forms of Macrophage Activation and Polarization. Trends in Immunology, 25, 677-686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2004.09.015
[13]
Owino, F., Kijogi, C., Anzala, O., Walong, E., Jael, O., Nyanjom, S.G., et al. (2025) Placental Malaria Infection Is Associated with Downregulation of STAT-6 and ANG-1 in Decidual Macrophages. Frontiers in Immunology, 16, Article 1497936. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1497936
[14]
Singh, P.P., Lucchi, N.W., Blackstock, A., Udhayakumar, V. and Singh, N. (2012) Intervillous Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Is Associated with Adverse Birth Outcomes in a Study Population in Central India. PLOS ONE, 7, e51678. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051678
[15]
World Health Organization (2024) Malaria. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria
[16]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) Malaria. https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/malaria/index.html
[17]
Acherar, A., Tannier, X., Tantaoui, I., Brossas, J., Thellier, M. and Piarroux, R. (2024) Evaluating Plasmodium falciparum Automatic Detection and Parasitemia Estimation: A Comparative Study on Thin Blood Smear Images. PLOS ONE, 19, e0304789. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304789
[18]
Medicines for Malaria Venture: Lifecycle of the Malaria Parasite. https://www.mmv.org/malaria/about-malaria/lifecycle-malaria-parasite
[19]
Chua, C.L.L., Brown, G.V., Hamilton, J.A., Molyneux, M.E., Rogerson, S.J. and Boeuf, P. (2013) Soluble CD163, a Product of Monocyte/Macrophage Activation, Is Inversely Associated with Haemoglobin Levels in Placental Malaria. PLOS ONE, 8, e64127. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064127
[20]
Rouamba, T., Nakanabo-Diallo, S., Derra, K., Rouamba, E., Kazienga, A., Inoue, Y., et al. (2019) Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors Associated with Malaria Hotspots in the Nanoro Demographic Surveillance Area, Burkina Faso. BMC Public Health, 19, Article No. 249.
[21]
Alvarado-Vazquez, P.A., Bernal, L., Paige, C.A., Grosick, R.L., Moracho Vilrriales, C., Ferreira, D.W., et al. (2017) Macrophage-Specific Nanotechnology-Driven CD163 Overexpression in Human Macrophages Results in an M2 Phenotype under Inflammatory Conditions. Immunobiology, 222, 900-912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imbio.2017.05.011
[22]
Nunes, P.R., Romão-Veiga, M., Peraçoli, J.C., Araujo Costa, R.A., de Oliveira, L.G., Borges, V.T.M., et al. (2019) Downregulation of CD163 in Monocytes and Its Soluble Form in the Plasma Is Associated with a Pro-Inflammatory Profile in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia. Immunologic Research, 67, 194-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-019-09078-8
[23]
Gordon, S. (2003) Alternative Activation of Macrophages. Nature Reviews Immunology, 3, 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri978
[24]
Knudsen, T.B., Gustafson, P., Kronborg, G., Kristiansen, T.B., Moestrup, S.K., Nielsen, J.O., et al. (2005) Predictive Value of Soluble Haemoglobin Scavenger Receptor CD163 Serum Levels for Survival in Verified Tuberculosis Patients. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 11, 730-735. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2005.01229.x
[25]
Møller, H.J., Grønbæk, H., Schiødt, F.V., Holland-Fischer, P., Schilsky, M., Munoz, S., et al. (2007) Soluble CD163 from Activated Macrophages Predicts Mortality in Acute Liver Failure. Journal of Hepatology, 47, 671-676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2007.05.014
