Cerebral malaria induced by plasmodium falciparum: clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurological complication of *Plasmodium falciparum* malaria.
• It predominantly affects children under five in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to coma, death, and long-term sequelae.
• Current treatments like intravenous artesunate have limited clinical efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of CM.
• To provide insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies for CM.
• To highlight the significance of understanding CM etiology for effective disease management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical characteristics.
• Review of pathogenesis and diagnostic methods.
• Analysis of current clinical therapies and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• CM presents with coma and can lead to death or irreversible neurological damage.
• Pathogenesis involves complex interactions leading to neurological injury.
• Intravenous artesunate is the preferred treatment but efficacy is suboptimal.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the etiology of CM is crucial for developing effective treatments.
• Further research is needed to improve diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions for CM.
• Novel approaches are required to mitigate the severe neurological consequences of CM.