The complexities of malaria disease manifestations with a focus on asymptomatic malaria

Abstract

Malaria is a serious parasitic disease in the developing world, causing high morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of malaria is complex, and the clinical presentation of disease ranges from severe and complicated, to mild and uncomplicated, to asymptomatic malaria. Despite a wealth of studies on the clinical severity of disease, asymptomatic malaria infections are still poorly understood. Asymptomatic malaria remains a challenge for malaria control programs as it significantly influences transmission dynamics. A thorough understanding of the interaction between hosts and parasites in the development of different clinical outcomes is required. In this review, the problems and obstacles to the study and control of asymptomatic malaria are discussed. The human and parasite factors associated with differential clinical outcomes are described and the management and treatment strategies for the control of the disease are outlined. Further, the crucial gaps in the knowledge of asymptomatic malaria that should be the focus of future research towards development of more effective malaria control strategies are highlighted.

Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of cerebral malaria imported in Albania

“…Accepting that treatment worldwide (including Guinea) is based on official guidelines, the second hypothesis is more plausible. Similarly, to other reports, our findings demonstrate that the cerebral form of malaria may also appear during the second disease episode caused by an additional strain of P. falciparum [9][10][11]. Meanwhile, a disease' reactivation without a reinfection is nearly excluded because of adequate treatment (according to international guidelines) [2,4,12].…”

Comparison of Microscopy, Nested-PCR, and Real-Time-PCR Assays Using High-Throughput Screening of Pooled Samples for Diagnosis of Malaria in Asymptomatic Carriers from Areas of Endemicity in Myanmar

“…Because asymptomatic carriers do not seek treatment for the infection, they can have high levels of gametocytes and constitute a reservoir available for infection of newly hatched mosquitoes (5,6). The systematic identification and treatment of asymptomatic carriers might reduce disease transmission by reducing the pool of parasites carried by these individuals.…”

Malária: Dos velhos fármacos aos novos alvos moleculares

“…Por outro lado, indivíduos com grau leve da infecção ou sem complicações, tipicamente apresentam febre e sintomas como: arrepios, suores, dor de cabeça, vômito, diarréia, anemia, icterícia e inchaço do baço (esplenomegalia) (BAUMEISTER et al, 2006;CHAKRAVORTY;CRAIG, 2005;DEPLAINE et al, 2011;GROBUSCH;KREMSNER, 2005;KIRK et al, 2005;SALIBA, 2007;KRAEMER;SMITH, 2006;LAISHRAM et al, 2012;LAUER et al, 1997;ROWE et al, 2009). Quando diagnosticada corretamente e tratada as chances de cura são elevadas (BAUMEISTER et al, 2006;CHAKRAVORTY;CRAIG, 2005;DEPLAINE et al, 2011;GROBUSCH;KREMSNER, 2005;KIRK et al, 2005;SALIBA, 2007;KRAEMER;SMITH, 2006;LAISHRAM et al, 2012;LAUER et al, 1997;ROWE et al, 2009), mas o acúmulo de eritrócitos infectados em microvasos causa considerável obstrução do fluxo sanguíneo, diminuição da perfusão e remoção de resíduos dos tecidos com consequentes danos aos órgãos vitais como cérebro, pulmão, fígado, intestino e pele (MILLER, LOUIS H. et al, 2002). A síndrome cerebral parece ser responsável pela maioria das mortes e é caracterizada por coma e muitas vezes com convulsões, mas qualquer grau de comprometimento da consciência pode indicar o envolvimento cerebral (BEESON; BROWN, 2002;MENENDEZ;FLEMING;ALONSO, 2000;PONSFORD et al, 2012;RÉNIA et al, 2012).…”