Plasma chitotriosidase activity in acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria

A 24-bp duplication in exon 10 of human chitotriosidase gene from the sub-Saharan to the Mediterranean area: role of parasitic diseases and environmental conditions

“…In our previous report, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] a correlation between this parameter of macrophage activation, the level of serum ferritin and platelet count in children with acute malaria was found. This result suggested that Chit could have a role in the immune response and in the outcome of malaria infection.…”

“…Moreover, Chit is increased in patients affected by malaria infection and in other hematological disorders where activated macrophages are involved. [6][7][8][9] In keeping with the established antiparasitic function of homologous chitinases in plants, it is conceivable that human Chit might fulfill a role in the degradation of chitin-containing pathogens.…”

Biochemical and Molecular Chitotriosidase Profiles in Patients with Gaucher Disease Type 1 in Minas Gerais, Brazil: New Mutation in CHIT1 Gene

“…Some studies suggest that in GD type 1 patients the accumulation of the immunogenic components in macrophages, such as ceramide and sphingolipids, causes cellular activation and consequently ChT secretion, which may mediate the immune response involved (Ballou et al 1996;van Eijk et al 2005). Increased ChT activity was also recorded in several other diseases, such as Niemann-Pick (Brinkman et al 2005), GM1 gangliosidosis , b-thalassemia (Barone et al 1999), sarcoidosis (Boot et al 2010), malaria (Barone et al 2003), atherosclerosis (Artieda et al 2003;Boot et al 1999), and fungal and bacterial infections (Iyer et al 2009;Labadaridis et al 1998). The role of ChT enzyme is unclear, but a possible role in defense against chitin-containing pathogens and host immune response has been suggested (Choi et al 2001;Di Luca et al 2007;Di Rosa et al 2005;Gordon-Thomson et al 2009;Malaguarnera et al 2005;van Eijk et al 2005).…”

Quantitative Changes in Serum Concentration of Bovine Gut Chitinase in Theileria Infection

“…Chitotriosidase is another mammalian chitinase and is produced mainly by macrophages. A plasma chitotriosidase activity was reported to be higher in African children than in Caucasian ones and to be much higher in African children with acute malaria [1]. Thus, it is speculated that increments of the gut chitinase in blood may be beneficial to prevent parasitic infections.…”