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Histological Identification of Sequestered Parasitized Red Cells
Danny Arnold Milner1,2, Ian James Callum MacCormick3
1American Society for Clinical Pathology, Chicago, IL, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 26, 2022
Summary
Complete post-mortem exams reveal severe malaria causes systemic sequestration and fatal cerebral edema. This study details methods for examining tissues beyond the brain and eye to understand this systemic disease.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Malariology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Severe malaria in children is a significant global health issue.
- Cerebral malaria, a severe complication, often leads to fatal outcomes.
- Post-mortem examinations reveal widespread parasite sequestration in various organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the pathological mechanisms of severe malaria, particularly cerebral malaria.
- To describe the systemic nature of malaria-induced pathology beyond the brain and eye.
- To outline methodologies for studying malaria pathology in diverse tissues.
Main Methods:
- Gross examination of organs.
- Histological analysis of tissue samples.
- Application of special stains and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Post-mortem examinations confirm cerebral malaria as a cause of death.
- Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum is a systemic phenomenon, affecting multiple organs.
- The brain exhibits the most severe pathology, including fatal cerebral edema.
Conclusions:
- Severe malaria is a systemic disease with widespread organ involvement.
- Understanding tissue pathology is crucial for explaining mortality in cerebral malaria.
- Standard pathological techniques are effective for studying malaria-induced organ damage.
