Plasma concentration of platelet factor 4: As an evidence of platelet activation in parasitic infections

Abstract

Platelets number in the circulation largely exceeds that needed for haemostasis. There is increasing evidences that platelets have an immunological role against parasites. Assessment of platelet factor 4 concentrations in patients with parasitic infections can be used as an indicator for platelet activation. This study aims to evaluate the in vivo platelet activation in parasitic infections through measuring the plasma level of platelet factor 4 in a protozoal and a helminthic infection both before and after treatment. Thus 30 patients, 22 diagnosed to have giardiasis and 8 diagnosed to have hydrated disease, were subjected to serum samples collection before (Ag1 and Ah1) and after treatment (Ag2 and Ah2), respectively. The study also included 20 healthy adult as a control group. Both platelet counts and plasma levels of PF4 were measured. Platelet counts in both giardiasis and hydatid patients were significantly elevated after treatment compared to their counts before treatment. Plasma level of PF4 was reduced with a statistically significant difference in both diseases after treatment. Also there was a statistically significant difference between the mean values of PF4 of the control group (C-PF4) and in the tested groups of both diseases before and after treatment (p<0.5). Thus parasitic infections lead to platelets activation with increase in platelet count although within normal range for platelets. Plasma level of platelet factor 4 is significantly increased in both infections and decreased after treatment, thus can be used as an indicator for parasitic infection and for prediction of succession of recovery after treatment. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.