Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
09:04

In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: June 8, 2017

Headache and malaria: a brief review

Viroj Wiwanitkit1

  • 1Wiwanitkit House, Bangkhae, Bangkok, Thailand. wviroj@yahoo.com

Acta Neurologica Taiwanica
|June 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Headache is a common symptom in malaria, potentially caused by cytokines during acute infection or as a side effect of antimalarial drugs. It can also indicate post-malaria neurological issues.

Area of Science:

  • Tropical Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Malaria is a significant tropical mosquito-borne disease.
  • Headache is a frequent clinical manifestation in malaria patients.
  • Understanding headache mechanisms in malaria is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the headache profile in malaria patients.
  • To explore the underlying mechanisms of malaria-associated headaches.
  • To discuss the role of cytokines and drug-induced headaches.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of malaria and headache.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations of headache in malaria.
  • Discussion of pathomechanisms involving cytokines and drug effects.

Main Results:

  • Headache is a key symptom in both cerebral and non-cerebral malaria.
  • Cytokines are implicated as a major factor in acute malaria-induced headaches.
  • Headaches can also result from certain antimalarial medications and appear in post-malaria neurological syndromes.

Conclusions:

  • Headache is a critical symptom requiring attention in malaria diagnosis and treatment.
  • Further research into cytokine pathways may reveal new therapeutic targets.
  • Awareness of drug-induced headaches and post-malaria syndromes is essential for comprehensive care.

More Related Videos

Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages08:23

Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages

Published on: May 30, 2019

Isolation and Analysis of Brain-sequestered Leukocytes from Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected Mice12:48

Isolation and Analysis of Brain-sequestered Leukocytes from Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected Mice

Published on: January 2, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Malaria01:29

Malaria

Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
Symbiosis00:58

Symbiosis

Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Yellow Fever01:18

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...