Cited by 21Malaria Research and ControlHemoglobinopathies and Related DisordersErythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology of Severe Malaria Infection

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Ohiagu, Franklyn O., Chikezie, Paul C., Ahaneku, Clinton C., Chikezie, Chinwendu M., Law-Obi, Favour C.·2021·Asian Journal of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Malaria infection is a multisystem pathology with various clinical complications in both adults and children. The clinical manifestation originates in humans following the invasion of erythrocytes by merozoites. Methods: The relevant information and data was collated from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Mendeley, Springer Link, and Medline using keywords such as ‘severe malaria infection’, ‘pathophysiology of severe malaria’, ‘complications of severe malaria’ and ‘erythrocyte impairment in severe malaria’. Results: Generally speaking, the pathophysiology of severe malaria infection encompasses a succession of stages involving the metabolic products of the malaria parasites inclusive of hemoglobin digestion, damaged erythrocyte membrane components, the actions of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the cytoadherence of the malaria parasites to the vascular endothelium as well as sequestration and rosetting. The major complications connected with severe malaria infection include acute respiratory distress syndrome, neurological disorders resulting from cerebral malaria, liver and kidney dysfunction, anaemia and thrombocytopenia, and fatal placental malaria. Conclusion: The effective management of severe malaria infection involves a proper diagnosis followed by the subjection of the patient to suitable antimalarial treatment with the necessary medications depending on the various clinical manifestations of the infection.

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Crossref · 10.15419/ajhs.v7i2.492

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  • Severe maternal malaria can result in cerebral malaria, associated neurologic sequelae, malarial anemia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, and other pregnancy-related complications.

    “Additionally, other studies have reported that severe maternal malaria can result in cerebral malaria, associated neurologic sequelae, malarial anemia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, and other pregnancy-related complications [131, 169, 171–173].”

    From Current update on malaria in pregnancy: a systematic review (2025) · cites this paper as [173]

    The “Placenta Pathology in Severe Malaria Infection” section (page unavailable) links malaria in pregnancy to anemia, cerebral malaria, hypoglycemia, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The “Neurological Complications” and “Malaria-associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome” sections (pages unavailable) discuss neurologic sequelae and respiratory distress in severe malaria generally, but do not specifically establish those complications in pregnant patients. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Infection also involves the action of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the adherence of malaria parasites to the vascular endothelium, leading to sequestration and rosette formation.

    “Infection also involves the action of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the adherence of malaria parasites to the vascular endothelium, leading to sequestration and rosette formation [173].”

    From Current update on malaria in pregnancy: a systematic review (2025) · cites this paper as [173]

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Authors
Ohiagu, F. O., Chikezie, P. C., Ahaneku, C. C., Chikezie, C. M., & Law-Obi, F. C.
Affiliations
  • Imo State University (NG)
  • Federal University of Technology Owerri (NG)
Corresponding author
  • Ohiagu, Franklyn O.
  • Chikezie, Paul C.
  • Ahaneku, Clinton C.
  • Chikezie, Chinwendu M.
  • Law-Obi, Favour C.
Venue
Asian Journal of Health Sciences
Publisher
Biomedpress
Published
2021-10-01
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
22-22
ISSN
2347-5218 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3203891550
Cited by
21
References
146
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3
FWCI
1.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
Asian Journal of Health Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Malaria Research and Control
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
Keywords
severe malaria, pathophysiology, merozoite invasion, hemoglobin digestion, cytokines, cytoadherence, rosette formation, cerebral malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, placental malaria, anemia, thrombocytopenia, liver and kidney dysfunction, malaria treatment

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