Conclusions This systematic review found that most of the evidence associating malaria and malnutrition comes from P. falciparum endemic areas , with a significant heterogeneity in studies ’ design .
Apparently malnutrition has not a great impact on malaria morbidity , but could have a negative impact on malaria mortality and severity .
Most studies show no association between malaria and subsequent malnutrition in P. falciparum areas .
In Plasmodium vivax endemic areas , malaria was associated with malnutrition in children .
Background Multiple studies in various parts of the world have analysed the association of nutritional status on malaria using anthropometric measures , but results differ due to the heterogeneity of the study population , species of the parasite , and other factors involved in the host and parasite relationship .
The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review on the inter-relationship of nutritional status based on anthropometry and malarial infection .
Distinct clinical and immunologic profiles in severe malarial anemia and cerebral malaria in Zambia.
BACKGROUND The mechanisms of severe malarial anemia and cerebral malaria , which are extreme manifestations of Plasmodium falciparum malaria , are not fully understood . METHODS Children aged < 6 years from southern Zambia presenting to the hospital with severe malarial anemia ( n = 72 ) , cerebral malaria ( n = 28 ) , or uncomplicated malaria ( n = 66 ) were studied prospect ively . Children with overlapping severe anemia and cerebral malaria were excluded . RESULTS Low interleukin 10 concentrations had the strongest association with severe anemia ( st and ard β = .61 ; P < .001 ) followed by high tumor necrosis factor α and sFas concentrations , low weight-for-age z scores , presence of stool parasites , and splenomegaly ( st and ard β = .15-.25 ; P ≤ .031 ) ; most of these factors were also associated with lower reticulocytes . Greater parasitemia was associated with higher interleukin 10 and tumor necrosis factor α concentrations , whereas sulfadoxizole/pyrimethamine therapy and lower weight-for-age z scores were associated with lower interleukin 10 levels . Thrombocytopenia and elevated tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 levels had the strongest associations with cerebral malaria ( st and ard β = .37 or .36 ; P < .0001 ) , followed by exposure to traditional herbal medicine and hemoglobinuria ( st and ard β = .21-.31 ; P ≤ .006 ) . CONCLUSIONS Predictors of severe malarial anemia ( altered immune responses , poor nutrition , intestinal parasites , and impaired erythropoiesis ) differed from those of cerebral malaria ( thrombocytopenia , herbal medicine , and intravascular hemolysis ) . Improved preventive and therapeutic measures may need to consider these differences
Conclusions This systematic review found that most of the evidence associating malaria and malnutrition comes from P. falciparum endemic areas , with a significant heterogeneity in studies ’ design .
Apparently malnutrition has not a great impact on malaria morbidity , but could have a negative impact on malaria mortality and severity .
Most studies show no association between malaria and subsequent malnutrition in P. falciparum areas .
In Plasmodium vivax endemic areas , malaria was associated with malnutrition in children .
Background Multiple studies in various parts of the world have analysed the association of nutritional status on malaria using anthropometric measures , but results differ due to the heterogeneity of the study population , species of the parasite , and other factors involved in the host and parasite relationship .
The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review on the inter-relationship of nutritional status based on anthropometry and malarial infection .