[Severe malaria in an African seasonal endemic area. Comparison of aspects in adults and children and prognostic value of cytokines].

Objectives: The present study was conducted in West Africa in a region where malaria exists as a seasonal endemic disease. The aim was to compare clinical and biological aspects of adult severe falciparum malaria with those found in children and to appreciate the role of cytokines a prognostic markers. Thirty-one patients fulfilling the WHO criteria of severe malaria were included.

[Neuromalaria and cytokines].

Levels of TNF alpha, IL-6-, soluble R IL-2, and fibronectin, were evaluated in fifteen patients with cerebral malaria. Relations between cytokines levels and parasitemia were assessed. Concentration of IL-6, and soluble R IL-2, correlated with parasitic density on admission.

[Severe malaria in Black Africa].

Severe and complicated malaria is a fatal from a human Plasmodium falciparum infection. In clinical practice cerebral malaria in children, with unrousable coma, hyperthermia, generalized convulsions, frequently hypoglycemia, is different of severe in non immunized adults resulting in multiple organ failure with degree of impaired consciousness less important. Specific treatment requires quinine with loading dose: 16.