In the eye of experimental cerebral malaria
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Updated: May 31, 2026
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
Raman Saggu1, Dorothée Faille, Georges E Grau
1Center for Magnetic Resonance in Biology and Medicine, UMR CNRS 6612, University of the Mediterranean, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
Cerebral malaria is the most severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, accounting for 1 million deaths per year. We characterized the murine disease using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 4.7 T, proving that ischemic edema is responsible for fatality. The aim of the present study was to identify early markers of experimental cerebral malaria using very high field conventional MRI (11.75 T). CBA/J mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA were observed at an early stage of the disease, before the onset of detectable brain swelling and at the most acute stage of cerebral malaria. Herein, we report the first detection of damage to the optic and trigeminal nerves on T(2)-weighted MRI. The trigeminal nerves appeared hypointense, with significantly reduced diameter and cross-sectional area. The optic nerves were hypointense and often not visible. In addition, the internerve distance between the optic nerves was significantly and progressively reduced between the early and severest stages. Cranial nerve injury was the earliest anatomic hallmark of the disease, visible before brain edema became detectable. Thus, cranial nerve damage may manifest in neurologic signs, which may assist in the early recognition of cerebral malaria.
Insights
Cranial nerve damage, including optic and trigeminal nerves, is the earliest sign of experimental cerebral malaria. This finding, detected via MRI, precedes brain swelling and aids in early disease recognition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe Plasmodium falciparum complication causing 1 million deaths annually.
- Previous research identified ischemic edema as the cause of fatality in murine CM using 4.7 T MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify early anatomical markers of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) using ultra-high field MRI (11.75 T).
- To detect pathological changes before the onset of detectable brain edema.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 11.75 T MRI to examine CBA/J mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA at early and acute stages of ECM.
- Focused on T(2)-weighted imaging to visualize cranial nerves and brain structures.
Main Results:
- Detected damage to optic and trigeminal nerves, characterized by hypointensity and reduced dimensions on MRI.
- Observed progressive reduction in the internerve distance of optic nerves.
- Cranial nerve injury was identified as the earliest anatomical hallmark, preceding detectable brain edema.
Conclusions:
- Cranial nerve damage is the earliest detectable anatomical feature of experimental cerebral malaria.
- MRI detection of cranial nerve injury may facilitate early diagnosis and intervention for cerebral malaria.
- This study highlights the utility of ultra-high field MRI in identifying subtle pathological changes in infectious neurological diseases.
