Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Published: January 2010
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Severe falciparum malaria remains a major killer in tropical countries. Central in the pathophysiology is mechanical obstruction in the microcirculation caused by cytoadherence and sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes. However, the pathogenesis of many features complicating severe malaria, including coma, renal failure and thrombocytopenia, remains incompletely understood. These disease manifestations are also key features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a life-threatening disease strongly associated with a deficiency of the von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease, ADAMTS13. We measured plasma ADAMTS13 activity, VWF antigen and VWF propeptide levels in 30 patients with severe falciparum malaria, 12 patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria and 14 healthy Bangladeshi controls. In patients with severe malaria ADAMTS13 activity levels were markedly decreased in comparison to normal controls (mean [95%CI]: 23% [20-26] vs. 64% [55-72]) and VWF antigen and propeptide concentrations were significantly elevated (VWF antigen: 439% [396-481] vs. 64% [46-83]; VWF propeptide: 576% [481-671] vs. 69% [59-78]). In uncomplicated malaria VWF levels were also increased compared to healthy controls but ADAMTS13 activity was normal. The results suggest that decreased ADAMTS13 activity in combination with increased VWF concentrations may contribute to the complications in severe malaria.
Although China has achieved malaria elimination certification, the risk of malaria transmission reintroduction due to imported malaria remains. We analyzed data on imported malaria cases collected from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021, using multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with severe and relapsing malaria. The odds of severe malaria were around 4-fold greater for patients who were initially diagnosed with a nonmalarial illness than for patients initially diagnosed with malaria.
Unexplained fever poses significant diagnostic challenges in resource-limited settings like Bamako, Mali, where overlapping endemic diseases include malaria, HIV/AIDS, yellow fever, typhoid, and others. This study aimed to elucidate the infectious etiologies of acute febrile illnesses in this context. Acute febrile patients of any age were enrolled after informed consent or assent.
Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in endemic regions of Africa, with being the most virulent species. This case report details the presentation of a 24-year-old Caucasian woman who collapsed at a train station in the United Kingdom after experiencing a week of fever, malaise, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms. At emergency care, she was initially resuscitated with intravenous fluids and antipyretics.
Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine and Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Malaria kills millions of people annually, and it is one of the major causes of preventable mortality in the world. Of the different plasmodium species that induce malaria, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax account for the most severe form of malarial disease in humans. This review focuses on understanding preventive measures, mutation-based disease evolution, malaria-related biomarkers, and potential plant bioactive components for the treatment and management of malaria.
Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus (IAV) are significant agents of pneumonia cases and severe respiratory infections globally. Secondary bacterial infections, particularly by Streptococcus pneumoniae, are common in IAV-infected individuals, leading to critical outcomes. Despite reducing mortality, pneumococcal vaccines have high production costs and are serotype specific.
