Murine malaria is associated with significant hearing impairment

Abstract

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum malaria has been suspected to cause hearing loss. Developmental, cognitive and language disorders have been observed in children, surviving cerebral malaria. This prospective study aims to evaluate whether malaria influences hearing in mice.MethodsTwenty mice were included in a standardized murine cerebral malaria model. Auditory evoked brainstem responses were assessed before infection and at the peak of the illness.ResultsA significant hearing impairment could be demonstrated in mice with malaria, especially the cerebral form. The control group did not show any alterations. No therapy was used.ConclusionThis suggests that malaria itself leads to a hearing impairment in mice.

Sickle Cell Trait, Malaria and Sensorineural Hearing Loss–A Case-Control Study from São Tomé and Príncipe

“…Our results are supported by others, suggesting also that mild clinical malaria may also be associated with SNHL [25,26].…”

“…The malaria infection may trigger the onset of SNHL by pathophysiological processes, thromboembolism and release of inflammatory mediators [26,27]. On the other hand, malaria treatment adopted may be ototoxic.…”

Neuroauditory Toxicity of Artemisinin Combination Therapies—Have Safety Concerns Been Addressed?

“…ABRs were performed before the infection and at the peak of the disease (between days 5 and 11 after the infection without the administration of antimalarials). Hearing impairment was found in mice with both cerebral and uncomplicated malaria compared with a control group that was not infected with malaria 33. There is also real potential for confounding by ototoxic effects of the partner drug in the ACT, especially from quinoline-based drugs such as mefloquine, piperaquine, and amodiaquine.…”

“Sensorineural deafness in Tanzanian children—Is ototoxicity a significant cause? A pilot study” by Freeland et al. [Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 74 (2) (2010) 516–519]

“…Freeland et al [1] recruited 200 children with acquired sensoneural hearing impaired in Stone Town Zanzibar between 5 and 12 years of age. As control group 218 healthy normal hearing children were used.…”

“…The study by Freeland et al [1] examines a very important topichearing impairment in sub Sahara children. The conclusion drawn by the authors, that only ototoxic drugs being a fundamental cause of hearing loss need further discussion.…”