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Sukati S, Wannatung T, Duangchan T, Kotepui KU, Masangkay FR, Tseng CP, Kotepui M. Alteration of prothrombin time in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections with different levels of severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9816. [PMID: 38698102 PMCID: PMC11066112 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60170-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria infection leads to hematological abnormalities, including deranged prothrombin time (PT). Given the inconsistent findings regarding PT in malaria across different severities and between Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, this study aimed to synthesize available evidence on PT variations in clinical malaria. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Ovid, and Medline from 27 November 2021 to 2 March 2023 to obtain studies documenting PT in malaria. Study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist, with data synthesized through both qualitative and quantitative methods, including meta-regression and subgroup analyses, to explore heterogeneity and publication bias. From 2767 articles, 21 studies were included. Most studies reported prolonged or increased PT in malaria patients compared to controls, a finding substantiated by the meta-analysis (P < 0.01, Mean difference: 8.86 s, 95% CI 5.32-12.40 s, I2: 87.88%, 4 studies). Severe malaria cases also showed significantly higher PT than non-severe ones (P = 0.03, Hedges's g: 1.65, 95% CI 0.20-3.10, I2: 97.91%, 7 studies). No significant PT difference was observed between P. falciparum and P. vivax infections (P = 0.88, Mean difference: 0.06, 95% CI - 0.691-0.8, I2: 65.09%, 2 studies). The relationship between PT and malaria-related mortality remains unclear, underscoring the need for further studies. PT is typically prolonged or increased in malaria, particularly in severe cases, with no notable difference between P. falciparum and P. vivax infections. The inconsistency in PT findings between fatal and non-fatal cases highlights a gap in current understanding, emphasizing the need for future studies to inform therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suriyan Sukati
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- Hematology and Transfusion Science Research Center, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Tirawat Wannatung
- Faculty of Medicine, Western University, Huai Krachao, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
| | - Thitinat Duangchan
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
- Hematology and Transfusion Science Research Center, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | | | | | - Ching-Ping Tseng
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Manas Kotepui
- Medical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
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Tesfaye Z, Derso A, Zeleke AJ, Addisu A, Woldu B, Deress T, Mekonnen GG, Tegegne Y. Exploring coagulation parameters as predictive biomarkers of Plasmodium infection: A comprehensive analysis of coagulation parameters. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301963. [PMID: 38626035 PMCID: PMC11020526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria affects the intravascular environment, leading to abnormal coagulation activation, prolonged prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time. Despite the high prevalence of malaria in the study area, there has been little published research on the effects of Plasmodium infection on coagulation parameters. OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the effect of malaria on basic coagulation parameters among patients attending Dembia Primary Hospital and Makisegnit Health Center. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2020. The study involved 120 participants. Blood specimens were collected, which were analyzed using a Huma Clot Due Plus analyzer. The collected data were entered into EpiData and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Non-parametric statistical methods were employed to analyze the data. The results were considered statistically significant if the p-value was less than 0.05. RESULTS Individuals infected with Plasmodium exhibit coagulation disorders with elevated levels of PT (Prothrombin Time), APTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time), and INR (International Normalization Ratio) in comparison to healthy controls. The median PT, APTT, and INR values for infected cases were measured at 20.5 [8.6], 39.5 [17.9], and 1.8 [0.9], respectively, while healthy controls had measurements of 15.1 [2.5], 28.8 [8.3], and 1.3 [0.2] (p ≤ 0.001). The severity of coagulation disorders increased with an increase in parasitemia levels. The type of Plasmodium species present had a significant impact on PT and INR values (p ≤ 0.001), whereas APTT did not show any significant impact across the Plasmodium species (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The results of this study found that malaria has a substantial impact on various blood clotting parameters, including PT, APTT, and INR. Parasitemia severity is significantly associated with extended PT and INR, implying that the higher the parasitemia, the longer it takes for blood to clot. Furthermore, the study discovered that the PT and INR levels differed based on the type of Plasmodium species responsible for the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelalem Tesfaye
- Bichina Primary Hospital, Amhara Regional State Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Adane Derso
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Ayalew Jejaw Zeleke
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Ayenew Addisu
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Berhanu Woldu
- Department of Haematology and Immunohaematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Teshiwal Deress
- Department of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gebeyaw Getnet Mekonnen
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Yalewayker Tegegne
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Duangchan T, Kotepui M, Sukati S, Rattanapan Y, Wangdi K. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Proportion Estimates of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) in Malaria. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:289. [PMID: 37368707 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8060289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes systemic coagulation to be turned on and coagulation factors to be used up. However, the evidence for DIC in malaria patients is still not clear, and small case series and retrospective studies have shown varying results. This meta-analysis was intended for the evaluation of the evidence of DIC among malaria patients using a meta-analysis approach. The protocol for the systematic review was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42023392194. Studies that investigated DIC in patients with malaria were searched in Ovid, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and MEDLINE. The pooled proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of DIC among malaria patients was estimated using a random-effects model. A total of 1837 articles were identified, and 38 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The overall proportion of DIC in malaria was 11.6% (95% CI: 8.9%-14.3%, I2: 93.2%, 38 studies). DIC in severe falciparum malaria and fatal malaria was 14.6% (95% CI: 5.0-24.3%, I2: 95.5%, 11 studies) and 82.2% (95% CI: 56.2-100%, I2: 87.3, 4 studies). The estimates of DIC among severe malaria patients who had multi-organ dysfunction with bleeding, cerebral malaria, acute renal failure, and ≥2 complications were 79.6% (95% CI: 67.1-88.2%, one study), 11.9% (95% CI: 7.9-17.6%, one study), 16.7% (95% CI: 10.2-23.3%, ten studies), and 4.8% (95% CI: 1.9-7.7%, nine studies), respectively. The proportion estimates of DIC among the patients with malaria depended on the Plasmodium species, clinical severity, and types of severe complications. The information from this study provided useful information to guide the management of malaria patients. Future studies are needed to investigate the association between Plasmodium infection and DIC and to understand the mechanism of malaria-induced DIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinat Duangchan
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Hematology and Transfusion Science Research Center, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Manas Kotepui
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Suriyan Sukati
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Hematology and Transfusion Science Research Center, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Yanisa Rattanapan
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- Hematology and Transfusion Science Research Center, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Kinley Wangdi
- Department of Global Health, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
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Kotepui M, Kotepui KU, Milanez GDJ, Masangkay FR. Prevalence and risk factors related to poor outcome of patients with severe Plasmodium vivax infection: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and analysis of case reports. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:363. [PMID: 32448216 PMCID: PMC7245863 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05046-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium vivax rarely develops severe complications when compared to severe falciparum malaria. However, severe vivax malaria also needs urgent, intensive care and treatment as severe falciparum malaria. This systematic review aimed to explore pooled prevalence of severe vivax malaria and to identify factors related to poor outcome of patients who developed severe manifestation. Methods The systematic review conducted by two reviewers independently through searching of research publications related to severe P. vivax malaria in three databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science (ISI), and Scopus until October, 22 2019. The pooled prevalence of severe vivax malaria was achieved using STATA and RevMan 5 Software. Factors related to poor outcome of patients with severe vivax malaria were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 Software. Results Among 2615 research publications retrieved from three databases, 49 articles reporting on 42,325 severity cases were selected for calculating pooled prevalence. Seventy-six patients from case reports, case series, letter to editors, and research communications were collected to identify factors related to poor outcome of patients with severe vivax malaria. The results showed that severe anemia, jaundice, respiratory distress, impaired consciousness, and renal failure were the most common major manifestations of severe malaria guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) criterion. The meta-analysis indicated that severe malaria was less frequent in patient with P. vivax compared to those with P. falciparum (P -value < 0.00001, OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.25–0.56, I2 = 87%). In addition, thrombocytopenia, anemia, hepatitis, and severe thrombocytopenia were the most common minor complications. Analysis of cases indicated that convulsion, respiratory distress, renal failure, jaundice, anuria/oliguria, and complication during treatment impacted on longer hospital stays compared to other severe complications (P-value < 0.05). Respiratory distress was frequently found after first treatment with anti-malarial drugs (P-value = 0.002). Renal failure was frequently found before treatment with anti-malarial drugs (P-value = 0.016). Mean days of fever and higher pulse rates at presentation were predictors of poor outcome among patients with severe vivax malaria (P-value < 0.05). Conclusions Severe anemia was the most common major manifestation of P. vivax malaria guided by the WHO criterion. Severe anemia was found less frequently in patients with P. vivax than those with P. falciparum. Renal failure, jaundice, anuria/oliguria, and complication during treatment along with, mean days of fever and higher pulse rates at presentation might be predictors of poor outcome of patients with severe vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Kotepui
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
| | - Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
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Jain V, Afreen K, Kumari J, Mir T, Wani B, Bhushan R. Disseminated intravascular coagulation presenting as symmetrical peripheral gangrene: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2019; 13:212. [PMID: 31296267 PMCID: PMC6625043 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-019-2117-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Plasmodium vivax was traditionally thought to be benign; however, nowadays it presents with a myriad of systemic complications like cerebral malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, acute pancreatitis, hepatic dysfunction, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, which were earlier attributed only to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Here we report a case of a middle-aged man who presented with disseminated intravascular coagulation manifesting as symmetrical peripheral gangrene. What makes this case more interesting is that the malaria isolated was Plasmodium vivax instead of Plasmodium falciparum. Such findings were previously reported, but this is the first case where the patient was managed conservatively with antimalarial drugs without the need for amputation, which focuses on the very important role of early diagnosis and timely management. Case presentation A 44-year-old Indian man from north India presented with history of fever of 2 days’ duration with severely painful cold extremities. No pulse could be recorded on examination. A diagnosis of symmetrical peripheral gangrene was made. During the etiological evaluation, Plasmodium vivax malaria was found leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation causing this complication. He was started on artesunate and lumefantrine combination therapy and he recovered completely without the requirement of amputation. Conclusion This case highlights the non-benign nature of Plasmodium vivax and its emerging complications. Also it correlates symmetrical peripheral gangrene with Plasmodium vivax malaria. It also emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention to reduce mortality and morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineet Jain
- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India.
| | - Khan Afreen
- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India
| | - Jyotsana Kumari
- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India
| | - Tanveer Mir
- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India
| | - Bilal Wani
- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India
| | - Romit Bhushan
- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India
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Meng QQ, Pan N, Xiong JY, Liu N. Tranexamic acid is beneficial for reducing perioperative blood loss in transurethral resection of the prostate. Exp Ther Med 2018; 17:943-947. [PMID: 30651884 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.7025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on postoperative blood loss during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 60 patients with BPH and undergoing TURP were randomized into TXA and control groups. Patients were intravenously administered 1 g TXA or placebo (0.9% sodium chloride solution), respectively, after the induction of anesthesia for TURP. Intraoperative and postoperative bladder irrigation volumes and blood loss volumes were compared between the two groups. Coagulation function (measured by prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin and thrombin time and fibrinogen levels) was measured before the operation and at 4 h post-operation. Complications from thromboembolic events, such as lower-limb and pulmonary embolisms, were also noted. The TXA group had significantly decreased blood loss intraoperatively and at 4 h postoperatively compared with the control group (P<0.05). The 24 h postoperative blood loss and coagulation function of the two groups were not significantly different. No thromboembolic events or other complications occurred in either group. In conclusion, a preoperative single dose of TXA was indicated to reduce perioperative blood loss in TURP without a notable increase in thrombosis risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Meng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116027, P.R. China
| | - Ning Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116027, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Yu Xiong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116027, P.R. China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116027, P.R. China
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Abstract
Sickness behaviors are a conserved set of stereotypic responses to inflammatory diseases. We recently demonstrated that interfering with inflammation-induced anorexia led to metabolic changes that had profound effects on survival of acute inflammatory conditions. We found that different inflammatory states needed to be coordinated with corresponding metabolic programs to actuate tissue-protective mechanisms. Survival of viral inflammation required intact glucose utilization pathways, whereas survival of bacterial inflammation required alternative fuel substrates and ketogenic programs. We thus hypothesized that organismal metabolism would be important in other classes of infectious inflammation and sought to understand its role in the prototypic parasitic disease malaria. Utilizing the cerebral malaria model, Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in C57BL/6J male mice, we unexpectedly found that inhibition of glycolysis using 2-deoxy glucose (2DG) conferred protection from cerebral malaria. Unlike vehicle-treated animals, 2DG-treated animals did not develop cerebral malaria and survived until ultimately succumbing to fatal anemia. We did not find any differences in parasitemia or pathogen load in affected tissues. There were no differences in the kinetics of anemia. We also did not detect differences in immune infiltration in the brain or in blood-brain barrier permeability. Rather, on pathological analyses performed on the entire brain, we found that 2DG prevented the formation of thrombi and thrombotic complications. Using thromboelastography (TEG), we found that 2DG-treated animals formed clots that were significantly less strong and stable. Together, these data suggest that glucose metabolism is involved in inflammation-induced hemostasis and provide a potential therapeutic target in treatment of cerebral malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J. McMorran
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease; John Curtin School of Medical Research; Australian National University; Canberra Australia
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Chen Q, Passos A, Balabani S, Chivu A, Zhao S, Azevedo HS, Butler P, Song W. Semi-interpenetrating network hyaluronic acid microgel delivery systems in micro-flow. J Colloid Interface Sci 2018; 519:174-185. [PMID: 29494879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.02.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Macroscopic hydrogels are commonly used as injectable scaffolds or fillers, however they may easily obstruct blood vessels, which poses risks and limits their clinical use. In the present study, three types of hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel micro-particles with non-covalent, covalent semi-interpenetrating and conventional 3D molecular networks, have been designed, fabricated and characterized. The micro-particles are spherical, biconcave or irregular in shape and their diameter ranged between 2.5 and 3.5 µm; their suspensions exhibit a tuneable viscosity, shear-thinning behaviour, dynamic stability and dispersity in microfluidic flow as a result of their specific particulate nature, providing thus a well-controlled injectable platform. Hydrogel particle suspensions also demonstrate an enhanced safety profile, in terms of the dispersity, cell safety, and hemocompatibility. In addition, Rhodamine 6G has successfully been loaded and released from the particles as a model for drug delivery. Functionalisation of hydrogel microparticles using synthetic polymers has been proven to be a cost-effective way to achieve desirable rheological properties and flow dynamic stability with improved physicochemical properties and biocompatibility in vitro, showing promise as a multifunctional biomedical material for various advanced surgical devices and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqing Chen
- Plastic Surgery Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; UCL Centre for Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Passos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London NW1 2PS, United Kingdom
| | - Stavroula Balabani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London NW1 2PS, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandru Chivu
- UCL Centre for Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Shudong Zhao
- UCL Centre for Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Helena S Azevedo
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Peter Butler
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Wenhui Song
- UCL Centre for Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom.
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Jeremiah S, Janagond AB, Parija SC. Challenges in diagnosis of Plasmodium knowlesi infections. Trop Parasitol 2014; 4:25-30. [PMID: 24754023 PMCID: PMC3992798 DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.129156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium knowlesi is the fifth species of Plasmodium recently identified to cause human malaria. Infections with P. knowlesi are currently being reported from South-East Asian countries and the incidence is on the rise with a possibility of spread to the geographically contiguous countries. P. knowlesi infections can result in a high degree of parasitemia causing severe malaria in a larger proportion of infected individuals. If detected early and treated with appropriate antimicrobials, these infections show a significant clinical improvement. The widely used microscopic methods usually misidentify P. knowlesi as the less pathogenic Plasmodium malariae leading to inadequate therapy and adverse clinical outcomes. The currently popular rapid immuno-chromatographic card tests have a very low sensitivity in diagnosing knowlesi malaria and can erroneously report P. knowlesi as other Plasmodia and vice-versa. At present molecular methods are the most efficacious in diagnosing P. knowlesi infections, but these tests can produce a false positive report in Plasmodium vivax infections and require expensive equipment and trained personnel. An ideal diagnostic test for P. knowlesi infections, which is potent, cost-effective and practically feasible in the resource limited setting is yet to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ss Jeremiah
- Department of Microbiology, Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anand B Janagond
- Department of Microbiology, Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
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