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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
immunology and microbiology
Malarial retinopathy: A newly established diagnostic sign in severe malaria
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 75, No. 5, Year 2006
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Description
Severe malaria is commonly misdiagnosed in Africa, leading to a failure to treat other life-threatening illnesses. In malaria-endemic areas, parasitemia does not ensure a diagnosis of severe malaria because parasitemia can be incidental to other concurrent disease. The detection of malarial retinopathy is a candidate diagnostic test for cerebral malaria. Malarial retinopathy consists of a set of retinal abnormalities that is unique to severe malaria and common in children with cerebral malaria. Its presence and severity are related to risk of death and length of coma in survivors. A large, prospective autopsy study of children dying with cerebral malaria in Malawi found that malarial retinopathy was better than any other clinical or laboratory feature in distinguishing malarial from non-malarial coma. However, visualization has to date relied on specialist examination techniques. Further studies are planned to evaluate the usefulness of funduscopy by general clinicians in a variety of settings across Africa. Studies of the retina and retinal blood vessels provide an unparalleled opportunity to visualize an infected microvasculature and its effect on neural tissue in vivo. This report reviews current knowledge of malarial retinopathy, including its use as a diagnostic test in the comatose child, and its value as a tool for research into the pathophysiology of cerebral malaria. Copyright © 2006 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Authors & Co-Authors
Beare, Nicholas A.V.
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
Malawi, Blantyre
Malawi-liverpool-wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme
Taylor, Terrie Ellen
United States, East Lansing
Michigan State University
Harding, Simon P.
United Kingdom, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Lewallen, Susan
Tanzania, Moshi
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
Molyneux, Malcolm Edward
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
Statistics
Citations: 351
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.4269/ajtmh.2006.75.790
ISSN:
00029637
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Malawi