Ferroportin Q248H mutation was not found to be protective against malaria and anemia in children under 5 years living in South Kivu/Democratic Republic of Congo, an endemic area of infection.

BACKGROUND

Ferroportin (FPN) is known as an iron exporter and its effect on RBC iron could therefore hamper the growth of malaria parasites, since parasites are in need of iron. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of FPN Q248H in South Kivu/DRC and to evaluate its role in infected children and to explore its relationship with anemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in the health zone of Miti Murhesa in South Kivu/DRC. 1088 children aged under five years were included. The FPN Q248H mutation was analyzed by PCR (N = 1071). Allele frequency was calculated based on Hardy-Weinberg equation. infection was assessed by LAMP malaria assay (N = 1057). Statistical analysis was done using Medcalc® software. < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

We found 11.4% FPN Q248H mutation. T allele frequency was estimated to be 0.0588 ± 0.0052. No significant differences for frequencies of anemia and malaria were observed between FPN Q248H mutation and FPN wild type. However infected carriers of the FPN Q248H mutation had lower hemoglobin values than wild type children.

CONCLUSION

Even though FPN Q248H mutation is associated with lower hemoglobin values in infected children, it was not found to be protective against malaria and anemia in children under 5 years living in malaria endemic area of South Kivu/Democratic Republic of Congo.