Purpose: Cerebral malaria (CM) is suspected to be a potential cause of epilepsy in tropical areas. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the relationship between CM and epilepsy in Gabon.
Methods: A matched case-control study was carried out on a sample of subjects aged six months to 25 years and hospitalized between 1990 and 2004 in three hospitals in Libreville, Gabon. Cases were defined as patients suffering from epilepsy and confirmed by a neurologist. Controls were defined as patients without epilepsy. The exposure of interest was CM according to WHO criteria.
Results: In total, 296 cases and 296 controls were included. Of these, 36 (26 cases and 10 controls) had a CM history. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) to develop epilepsy after CM was 3.9 [95% CI: 1.7-8.9], p<0.001. Additional risk factors were identified: family history of epilepsy: aOR=6.0 [95% CI: 2.6-14.1], p<0.0001, and febrile convulsions: aOR=9.2 [95% CI 4.0-21.1], p<0.0001.
Conclusions: This first case-control study on that issue suggests that epilepsy-related CM is an underrecognized problem. It emphasizes the need for further studies to better evaluate the role of convulsions during CM.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00890.x | DOI Listing |
Trends Parasitol
January 2025
Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, Australia.
In Plasmodium falciparum malaria, infected cells accumulate in blood vessels of organs, including the brain. Recently, Reyes et al. identified monoclonal antibodies that stop infected cells from binding to the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) in a model of brain blood vessels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
December 2024
Medical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
Interferon γ-induced protein 10 kDa (IP-10) or C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) is produced and secreted from specific leukocytes such as neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes, which play key roles in the immune response to Plasmodium infections. This systematic review aimed to collate and critically appraise the current evidence on IP-10 levels in malaria patients. It provided insights into its role in malaria pathogenesis and potential as a biomarker for Plasmodium infections and disease severity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIran J Parasitol
January 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Cureus
December 2024
Neurology, Adventist Health White Memorial, Los Angeles, USA.
malaria affects millions of people in certain regions of the world, with neurological involvement and/or cerebral malaria as potential manifestations. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities have been well-documented in cerebral malaria. However, MRI abnormalities in non-cerebral malaria, especially in neurologically asymptomatic patients, are not well understood and have been less frequently reported, especially in non-endemic regions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomed Khim
December 2024
Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria; College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a fatal complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. The biological and physiological links between CM, inflammation, and inflammasome, point to the complexity of its pathology. Resistance to available and affordable drugs, worsening economic crisis, and urgent need for integration of orthodox with traditional/alternative medicine, actualized the search for sustainable pharmacotherapy.
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