Article
Immunology
Matthew M. Ippolito, Jean-Bertin B. Kabuya, Manuela Hauser, Luc K. Kamavu, Proscovia Miiye Banda, Lisa R. Yanek, Rubab Malik, Modest Mulenga, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Gershom Chongwe, Thomas A. Louis, Theresa A. Shapiro, William J. Moss
Summary: A retrospective observational study in northern Zambia examined the impact of whole blood transfusion on survival of pediatric patients with severe malarial anemia. The results showed that transfusion was associated with greater survival, and thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with mortality and transfusion response. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining reliable blood donation networks in areas with high malaria transmission.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Clinton O. Onyango, Qiuying Cheng, Elly O. Munde, Evans Raballah, Samuel B. Anyona, Benjamin H. Mcmahon, Christophe G. Lambert, Patrick O. Onyango, Kristan A. Schneider, Douglas J. Perkins, Collins Ouma
Summary: Genetic variation in the NCR3 gene is associated with susceptibility to malaria and severe malarial anemia.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Evans Raballah, Samuel B. Anyona, Qiuying Cheng, Elly O. Munde, Ivy-Foo Hurwitz, Clinton Onyango, Caroline Ndege, Nicolas W. Hengartner, Maria Andreina Pacheco, Ananias A. Escalante, Christophe G. Lambert, Collins Ouma, Henri C. Jr T. Obama, Kristan A. Scheider, Philip D. Seidenberg, Benjamin H. McMahon, Douglas J. Perkins
Summary: The study explored the relationship between C3 missense mutations and severe malarial anemia (SMA) in children exposed to intense Plasmodium falciparum transmission. The findings showed that specific mutations in the MGI and thioester-containing domain of C3 influenced the longitudinal risk of malaria and SMA in children. The study suggested that certain genetic variations may play a role in predisposing children to severe malarial anemia and malaria in high transmission areas.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amatul Hamizah Ali, Wan Rozianoor Mohd Hassan, Dhiana Efani Dahari, Noor Embi, Hasidah Mohd Sidek, Rusliza Basir, Hani Kartini Agustar, Jalifah Latip
Summary: This study used an animal model to investigate the effects of host-parasite combination on severe malaria infection. The results showed that mice infected with P. berghei NK65 exhibited various pathological changes associated with severe malaria, including organ damage, leukocyte accumulation, and intravascular hemorrhage. Additionally, increased levels of inflammatory cytokines were observed in the serum of infected mice.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rolland Mutumba, Joseph Mbabazi, Hannah Pesu, Eva Greibe, Mette F. Olsen, Andre Briend, Christian Molgaard, Christian Ritz, Ezekiel Mupere, Suzanne Filteau, Henrik Friis, Benedikte Grenov
Summary: Anemia is common among stunted children in eastern Uganda, and micronutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and malaria are associated with low hemoglobin levels.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aongart Mahittikorn, Wanida Mala, Polrat Wilairatana, Sukhontha Siri, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui, Manas Kotepui
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the prevalence, anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis, and causes of death for severe imported malaria. The results showed that the prevalence of severe imported malaria and deaths attributable to severe imported malaria was significant, while the prevalence of adequate anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis was low among patients with severe imported malaria. Multi-organ failure was identified as the most common cause of death. These findings emphasize the importance of education and preventative measures for individuals visiting malaria-endemic areas to minimize the risk of severe disease or death.
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aongart Mahittikorn, Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui, Wanida Mala, Polrat Wilairatana, Manas Kotepui
Summary: Procalcitonin (PCT) levels alone may not be suitable for differentiating severe and uncomplicated malaria or infected and uninfected cases. The severity of malaria may be related to the level of parasite infection, immune status, and possible co-infection with bacteria or other parasites. Further studies should investigate the combination of PCT levels with other markers to assess malaria infection and severity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Drissa Coulibaly, Abdoulaye K. Kone, Bourama Kane, Boureima Guindo, Bourama Tangara, Mody Sissoko, Faycal Maiga, Karim Traore, Aichatou Diawara, Amidou Traore, Ali Thera, Mahamadou S. Sissoko, Ogobara K. Doumbo, Mark A. Travassos, Mahamadou A. Thera
Summary: A decrease in malaria incidence in Africa has resulted in changes in the clinical phenotypes of severe malaria, with an increase in severe malarial anemia and a decrease in cerebral malaria cases.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Samuel Odarkwei Blankson, Lauriane Rietmeyer, Patrick Tettey, Liliane Dikroh, Bernard Tornyigah, Rafiou Adamou, Azizath Moussiliou, Caroline Padounou, Annick Amoussou, Benedicta Ayiedu Mensah, Maroufou J. J. Alao, Gordon Awandare, Nicaise Tuikue Ndam, Christian Roussilhon, Rachida Tahar
Summary: This study evaluated the levels of plasma soluble neopterin in severe malaria patients and assessed its prognostic accuracy. The results showed that neopterin levels were higher in patients with severe malarial anemia and in patients who died from the disease. Plasma neopterin levels may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting fatality in severe falciparum malaria patients.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rafal S. Sobota, Abby R. Goron, Andrea A. Berry, Jason A. Bailey, Drissa Coulibaly, Matthew Adams, Abdoulaye K. Kone, Bourema Kouriba, Ogobara K. Doumbo, Marcelo B. Sztein, Philip L. Felgner, Christopher V. Plowe, Kirsten E. Lyke, Mahamadou A. Thera, Mark A. Travassos
Summary: This study used a protein microarray to examine malaria exposure in Malian children with different severe malaria syndromes. Children with concurrent cerebral malaria and severe malarial anemia showed a broader prior parasite exposure pattern. Elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were also observed in this group. The unique pathophysiology of this severe subtype deserves further investigation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Spyridon Fortis, Amy M. J. O'Shea, Brice F. Beck, Rajeshwari Nair, Michihiko Goto, Gregory A. Schmidt, Peter J. Kaboli, Eli N. Perencevich, Heather Schacht Reisinger, Mary Vaughan Sarrazin
Summary: The study aimed to develop a simplified critical illness severity scoring system with high prediction accuracy for 30-day mortality using commonly available variables. The newly created system showed excellent performance in predicting 30-day mortality internally and required easily extracted commonly used variables from electronic health records.
JOURNAL OF CRITICAL CARE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aongart Mahittikorn, Pattamaporn Kwankaew, Pongruj Rattaprasert, Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Manas Kotepui
Summary: This meta-analysis compared the differences in interleukin (IL)-1 beta levels between patients with severe malaria, patients with uncomplicated malaria, and healthy controls. The results showed that IL-1 beta levels were higher in patients with severe malaria compared to those with uncomplicated malaria, but there was no difference in IL-1 beta levels between patients with uncomplicated malaria and healthy controls. Further studies are needed to determine if IL-1 beta levels can be used to monitor malaria severity.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui, Pattamaporn Kwankaew, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Aongart Mahittikorn, Manas Kotepui
Summary: This study used a meta-analysis approach to investigate the difference in TGF-beta levels between different groups of malaria patients and healthy controls. The results showed that patients with uncomplicated malaria had lower TGF-beta levels compared to healthy controls, while there was no difference in TGF-beta levels between patients with severe malaria and patients with uncomplicated malaria.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elham Akbarpour, Yousef Paridar, Zahra Mohammadi, Ali Mard, Leila Danehchin, Farhad Abolnezhadian, Shima Azadpour, Zahra Rahimi, Mohammad Zamani, Bahman Cheraghian, Hossein Poustchi, Ali-Akbar Shayesteh
Summary: Despite recent improvements in health, anemia remains a global public health issue affecting a quarter of the world's population, with a prevalence rate of 10.86% among adults in Khuzestan, Iran. Major determinants of anemia in this population include female gender, age group of 35-49 years, underweight status, unemployment or retirement, and urban residency.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Shinya Onishi, Takeshi Ebihara, Yuki Togami, Tsunehiro Matsubara, Hisatake Matsumoto, Akinori Osuka, Hiroshi Ogura, Jun Oda
Summary: The study found that in the acute phase of severe burns, GDF-15 levels were associated with mortality and SOFA scores, making it a potential marker for assessing severity and prognosis.
