Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40637365›Full record

ArticleParasite immunology2025

Relationship Between Hepcidin, Iron Metabolism, Inflammation and Hypersplenism in Anaemia of Kala-Azar.

Alyne Ferreira De Almendra Freitas, Adelino Soares Lima Neto, Camila Maria Coelho de Moura, Giovana Dias Silva, Marília de Sousa Araújo Barbosa E Silva, Keline Medeiros de Araújo Vilges, Francisco Mateus Alves de Morais Ferreira, Dorcas Lamounier Costa, Carlos Henrique Nery Costa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasite immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Alyne Ferreira De Almendra FreitasPostgraduate Program in Health and Science, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
Adelino Soares Lima NetoDr. Costa Alvarenga Central Public Health Laboratory (LACEN), Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
Camila Maria Coelho de MouraFederal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
Giovana Dias SilvaLeishmaniasis Research Laboratory - LabLeish, Piauí, Brazil.
Marília de Sousa Araújo Barbosa E SilvaFederal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Keline Medeiros de Araújo VilgesUniversity of Brasilia Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia - DF, Brazil.
Francisco Mateus Alves de Morais FerreiraMunicipal Government of João Pessoa-PB, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Dorcas Lamounier CostaLeishmaniasis Research Laboratory - LabLeish, Piauí, Brazil.
Carlos Henrique Nery CostaLeishmaniasis Research Laboratory - LabLeish, Piauí, Brazil.

Funding

CNPq 302571/2015-9CNPq PICCS4718-2018Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp., characterised by fever, weight loss, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and anaemia. This study evaluated the relationship between hepcidin, inflammation, iron metabolism, and hypersplenism in VL-associated anaemia. In this cross-sectional study, confirmed VL patients without recent transfusions were assessed. Haematological and inflammatory parameters were analysed using correlation and multivariate regression tests. Anaemia was present in 95.2% of the sample, predominantly normocytic (59.5%) and normochromic (76.2%), or microcytic (40.5%) and hypochromic (23.8%). Inflammatory markers were markedly elevated in most patients, particularly hepcidin, which was increased in 97.6% of cases (median: 351.46 ng/mL), suggesting persistent inflammation and impaired iron bioavailability. However, IL-6, CRP, and ferritin showed weak to moderate negative correlations with hepcidin (ρ = -0.33, ρ = -0.66, and ρ = -0.30, respectively). These findings highlight the complex interplay between anaemia and inflammation in kala-azar, with elevated hepcidin levels and paradoxical correlations with inflammatory markers. They underscore the central role of splenomegaly in VL-related anaemia and suggest potential contributions from other factors affecting iron metabolism, such as erythropoietin and erythroferrone. Understanding the dynamics of these markers throughout disease progression and treatment may further elucidate the pathophysiology of VL and support the development of targeted therapies.

Indexed as

AnemiaHepcidinsHypersplenismInflammationIronLeishmaniasis, VisceralAdolescentAdultBiomarkersCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedYoung AdultBiomarkersHepcidinsIronanaemiahepcidinhypersplenisminflammationiron metabolismkala‐azarvisceral leishmaniasis

Identifiers

PMID40637365
PMCPMC12243698

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.