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Walker IS, Rogerson SJ. Pathogenicity and virulence of malaria: Sticky problems and tricky solutions. Virulence 2023; 14:2150456. [PMID: 36419237 PMCID: PMC9815252 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2150456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax cause over 600,000 deaths each year, concentrated in Africa and in young children, but much of the world's population remain at risk of infection. In this article, we review the latest developments in the immunogenicity and pathogenesis of malaria, with a particular focus on P. falciparum, the leading malaria killer. Pathogenic factors include parasite-derived toxins and variant surface antigens on infected erythrocytes that mediate sequestration in the deep vasculature. Host response to parasite toxins and to variant antigens is an important determinant of disease severity. Understanding how parasites sequester, and how antibody to variant antigens could prevent sequestration, may lead to new approaches to treat and prevent disease. Difficulties in malaria diagnosis, drug resistance, and specific challenges of treating P. vivax pose challenges to malaria elimination, but vaccines and other preventive strategies may offer improved disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel S Walker
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen J Rogerson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Kotepui M, Duangchan T, Mahittikorn A, Mekhora C, Anabire NG, Kotepui KU. Interleukin-5 levels in relation to malaria severity: a systematic review. Malar J 2023; 22:226. [PMID: 37537570 PMCID: PMC10401852 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04659-3] [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: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of cytokines such as interleukin-5 (IL-5) in the pathogenesis of malaria remains unclear. This systematic review sought to synthesize variations in IL-5 levels between severe and uncomplicated malaria, as well as between malaria and controls not afflicted with the disease. METHODS This systematic review was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022368773). Searches for studies that reported IL-5 levels in patients with malaria (any severity) and/or uninfected individuals were performed in Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CENTRAL, and MEDLINE, between 1st and 10th October, 2022. The risk of bias among all included studies was minimized using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines for reporting observational studies. The differences in IL-5 levels between malaria and uninfected controls, and between severe and uncomplicated malaria were synthesized by narrative synthesis. RESULTS Among 1177 articles identified in the databases, 23 matched the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review. Qualitative syntheses showed the heterogeneity of IL-5 levels between different severities of clinical malaria and uninfected controls. The majority of the included studies (12/15 studies, 80%) found no change in IL-5 levels between malaria cases and uninfected controls. Similarly, most studies found no difference in IL-5 levels between severe (regardless of complications) and uncomplicated malaria (4/8 studies, 50%). The qualitative syntheses revealed that most studies found no difference in IL-5 levels between severe and non-severe malaria. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive review suggests that IL-5 levels are unchanged in patients with different levels of clinical severity of malaria and uninfected controls. Given the limited number of published studies on IL-5 levels in malaria, there is a need for additional research to determine the function of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Kotepui
- Medical Technology Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
| | - Thitinat Duangchan
- Medical Technology Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Aongart Mahittikorn
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Chusana Mekhora
- Department of Nutrition and Health, Institute of Food Research and Product Development, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nsoh Godwin Anabire
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui
- Medical Technology Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
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Mancebo-Pérez C, Vidal M, Aguilar R, Barrios D, Bardají A, Ome-Kaius M, Menéndez C, Rogerson SJ, Dobaño C, Moncunill G, Requena P. Eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 in malaria exposure and pregnancy. Malar J 2022; 21:336. [DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04372-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Eotaxin-1 concentrations in plasma have been inversely associated with malaria exposure, malaria infection and pregnancy, but the effect of these conditions on the levels of the related chemokines eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 remains unknown.
Methods
Eotaxin-2 and -3 concentrations were measured in 310 peripheral or placental plasma samples from pregnant and non-pregnant individuals from Papua New Guinea (malaria-endemic country) and Spain (malaria-naïve individuals) with previous data on eotaxin-1 concentrations. Correlations between eotaxin concentrations were examined with the Spearman’s test. Differences in eotaxin concentrations among groups were evaluated with the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann Whitney tests. The pairwise Wilcoxon test was performed to compare eotaxin-2 concentration between peripheral and placental matched plasmas. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models were estimated to assess the association between eotaxins and Plasmodium infection or gestational age.
Results
Eotaxin-2 concentrations in plasma showed a weak positive correlation with eotaxin-3 (rho = 0.35, p < 0.05) concentrations. Eotaxin-2 concentrations in the malaria-exposed non-pregnant group were significantly lower than the in the malaria-naive non-pregnant and the malaria-exposed pregnant groups. Eotaxin-3 plasma concentrations were lower in malaria-exposed than in non-exposed groups (p < 0.05), but no differences were found associated to pregnancy. Eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 plasma concentrations were negatively correlated with anti-Plasmodium IgG levels: PfDBL5ε-IgG (rhoEo2 = − 0.35, p = 0.005; rhoEo3 =− 0.37, p = 0.011), and eotaxin-3 was negatively correlated with PfDBL3x-IgG levels (rhoEo3 =− 0.36; p = 0.011). Negative correlations of eotaxin-2 and 3 in plasma were also observed with atypical memory B cells (rhoEo2 = − 0.37, p < 0.001; rhoEo3= − 0.28, p = 0.006), a B cell subset expanded in malaria-exposed individuals. In addition, a borderline negative association was observed between eotaxin-3 concentrations and Plasmodium infection (adjusted effect estimate, β = − 0.279, 95% CI − 0.605; 0.047, p = 0.091). Moreover, eotaxin-2 placental concentrations were significantly increased compared to peripheral concentrations in the malaria-exposed pregnant group whereas the contrary was observed in the non-exposed pregnant group (p < 0.005).
Conclusion
Although a clear epidemiological negative association is observed between eotaxins concentrations and malaria exposure and/or infection, pregnancy may alter this association for eotaxin-2. Further research is required to understand the role of these chemokines in this disease and in combination with pregnancy.
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Tovar Acero C, Ramírez-Montoya J, Velasco MC, Avilés-Vergara PA, Ricardo-Caldera D, Duran-Frigola M, Quintero G, Cantero ME, Rivera-Correa J, Rodriguez A, Fernanda Yasnot-Acosta M. IL-4, IL-10, CCL2 and TGF-β as potential biomarkers for severity in Plasmodium vivax malaria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010798. [PMID: 36178979 PMCID: PMC9555658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines and chemokines are immune response molecules that display diverse functions, such as inflammation and immune regulation. In Plasmodium vivax infections, the uncontrolled production of these molecules is thought to contribute to pathogenesis and has been proposed as a possible predictor for disease complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytokine profile of P. vivax malaria patients with different clinical outcomes to identify possible immune biomarkers for severe P. vivax malaria. The study included patients with non-severe (n = 56), or severe (n = 50) P. vivax malaria and healthy controls (n = 50). Patient plasma concentrations of IL-4, IL-2, CXCL10, IL-1β, TNF-α, CCL2, IL-17A, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, CXCL8 and active TGF-β1 were determined through flow cytometry. The levels of several cytokines and chemokines, CXCL10, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4, CCL2 and IFN-γ were found to be significantly higher in severe, compared to non-severe P. vivax malaria patients. Severe thrombocytopenia was positively correlated with IL-4, CXCL10, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels, renal dysfunction was related to an increase in IL-2, IL-1β, IL-17A and IL-8, and hepatic impairment with CXCL10, MCP-1, IL-6 and IFN-γ. A Lasso regression model suggests that IL-4, IL-10, CCL2 and TGF-β might be developed as biomarkers for severity in P. vivax malaria. Severe P. vivax malaria patients present specific cytokine and chemokine profiles that are different from non-severe patients and that could potentially be developed as biomarkers for disease severity. Plasmodium vivax is one of the main species responsible for malaria in the world. The pathogenic mechanisms leading to the development of severe P. vivax malaria are not yet fully understood. Immune system molecules such as cytokines and chemokines actively participate in the control of the infection, however, their uncontrolled production can influence alterations in organs such as the liver, kidneys, among others. In this study we show that there is a differential concentration of some cytokines and chemokines between patients with non-severe malaria and severe P. vivax malaria; and that there are associations between these molecules with manifestations that occur in severe malaria. Four molecules with potential to become biomarkers of severity were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Tovar Acero
- Grupo Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, GIMBIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
- Grupo de Enfermedades Tropicales y Resistencia Bacteriana, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
- Doctorado de Medicina Tropical, SUE Caribe, Universidad de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
- * E-mail: (CTA); (MFYA)
| | - Javier Ramírez-Montoya
- Grupo de Investigación en Estadística, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - María Camila Velasco
- Grupo Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, GIMBIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Paula A. Avilés-Vergara
- Grupo de Enfermedades Tropicales y Resistencia Bacteriana, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Dina Ricardo-Caldera
- Grupo de Enfermedades Tropicales y Resistencia Bacteriana, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | | | - Gustavo Quintero
- Grupo Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, GIMBIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Myriam Elena Cantero
- Grupo Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, GIMBIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Juan Rivera-Correa
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - María Fernanda Yasnot-Acosta
- Grupo Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, GIMBIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
- * E-mail: (CTA); (MFYA)
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Carmona-Fonseca J, Olivera MJ, Yasnot-Acosta MF. A Retrospective Review on Severe Malaria in Colombia, 2007–2020. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080893. [PMID: 36015012 PMCID: PMC9416211 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Knowledge of severe malaria (SM) or complicated malaria is insufficient in all its components. The least known type is the one associated with Plasmodium vivax, compared to that caused by P. falciparum. The aim of this study was to provide a general overview of epidemiological information about the burden of SM, obtained from the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) for the period 2007–2020 in Colombia. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study of secondary information was performed via SIVIGILA. Results: There were 9881 SM cases among 1,060,950 total malaria cases in Colombia in 2007–2020: 9.31 SM cases per 1000 malaria cases. During this period, there were 7145 SM cases due to the following species: Plasmodium vivax, 57.6%; P. falciparum, 38.6%; severe mixed malaria, 3.2%; and P. malariae, 0.6%. The most compromised organ systems are the hematological system (54.9%), the liver (9.1%), the kidneys (4.2%), the lungs (1.9%) and the brain (1.6%). Conclusions: There has been a reduction in malaria incidence in Colombia in the last 10–15 years, but there has also been a strong increase in SM incidence. We suggest emphasizing the prevention of the onset of severe malaria, with the early and accurate diagnosis of plasmodial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Carmona-Fonseca
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad-Cesar Uribe Piedrahíta, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | | | - María F. Yasnot-Acosta
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba (GIMBIC), Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería 230002, Colombia
- Correspondence:
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Sánchez KE, Spencer LM. Pregnancy-associated malaria: Effects of cytokine and chemokine expression. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 47:102282. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Dombrowski JG, Barateiro A, Peixoto EPM, Barros ABCDS, de Souza RM, Clark TG, Campino S, Wrenger C, Wunderlich G, Palmisano G, Epiphanio S, Gonçalves LA, Marinho CRF. Adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with Plasmodium vivax malaria in a prospective cohort of women from the Brazilian Amazon. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009390. [PMID: 33914739 PMCID: PMC8112668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria in Brazil represents one of the highest percentages of Latin America cases, where approximately 84% of infections are attributed to Plasmodium (P.) vivax. Despite the high incidence, many aspects of gestational malaria resulting from P. vivax infections remain poorly studied. As such, we aimed to evaluate the consequences of P. vivax infections during gestation on the health of mothers and their neonates in an endemic area of the Amazon. Methods and findings We have conducted an observational cohort study in Brazilian Amazon between January 2013 and April 2015. 600 pregnant women were enrolled and followed until delivery. After applying exclusion criteria, 329 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Clinical data regarding maternal infection, newborn’s anthropometric measures, placental histopathological characteristics, and angiogenic and inflammatory factors were evaluated. The presence of plasma IgG against the P. vivax (Pv) MSP119 protein was used as marker of exposure and possible associations with pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that P. vivax infections during the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with adverse gestational outcomes such as premature birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.12, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.69–24.54, p < 0.0001) and reduced head circumference (aOR 3.58, 95%CI 1.29–9.97, p = 0.01). Histopathology analysis showed marked differences between placentas from P. vivax-infected and non-infected pregnant women, especially regarding placental monocytes infiltrate. Placental levels of vasomodulatory factors such as angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) and complement proteins such as C5a were also altered at delivery. Plasma levels of anti-PvMSP119 IgG in infected pregnant women were shown to be a reliable exposure marker; yet, with no association with improved pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions This study indicates that P. vivax malaria during the first trimester of pregnancy represents a higher likelihood of subsequent poor pregnancy outcomes associated with marked placental histologic modification and angiogenic/inflammatory imbalance. Additionally, our findings support the idea that antibodies against PvMSP119 are not protective against poor pregnancy outcomes induced by P. vivax infections. Malaria during pregnancy is associated with adverse effects on the fetus and the newborn. As far as we know, no study has previously investigated in a single work, the link between Plasmodium vivax malaria in pregnancy and poor gestational outcomes, alteration of the newborn’s anthropometric profile, placental lesions, angiogenic and inflammatory factors, and humoral immunity against the parasite. For this purpose, we investigated the association between P. vivax malaria during pregnancy and newborn’s anthropometric profile, placental pathology, gestational outcomes, and the presence of IgG against P. vivax MSP119 that may confer protection against infection during pregnancy. We performed a large cohort study of malaria during pregnancy that analyzed data from mother-child pairs delivered between 2013 and 2015 in the Southwestern Brazilian Amazonian region. By evaluating data from 329 pregnancies, we found that P. vivax malaria during the first pregnancy trimester is significantly associated with the occurrence of preterm birth, low birth weight, and reduced newborn head circumference and body length. We also noted that P. vivax malaria in pregnancy promoted placental lesions and homeostasis imbalance, characterized by increased syncytial nuclear aggregates, fibrin deposition, and monocytes/leukocytes infiltrate, as well as imbalanced angiogenic factors, leptin, and cytokines. We observed that pregnant women with IgG against P. vivax MSP119 are not protected against poor pregnancy outcomes caused by P. vivax infections during pregnancy. Our observations improve our understanding of the disease and P. vivax burden during pregnancy, changing the current paradigm of the outcome of P. vivax malaria in pregnancy. That may represent a long-term severe consequence for the affected populations living in P. vivax-endemic regions. Our results also indicate that IgG against P. vivax MSP119 is not associated with protection from poor pregnancy outcomes, excluding this protein as a possible vaccination target that can prevent adverse outcomes caused by P. vivax infections during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Barateiro
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Taane Gregory Clark
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carsten Wrenger
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerhard Wunderlich
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Epiphanio
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lígia Antunes Gonçalves
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (LAG); (CRFM)
| | - Claudio Romero Farias Marinho
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (LAG); (CRFM)
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