Plasmodium knowlesi infection is associated with elevated circulating biomarkers of brain injury and endothelial

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Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells
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Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells

Published on: January 3, 2012

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Cesc Bertran-Cobo, Elin Dumont, Naqib Rafieqin Noordin

    Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
    |May 7, 2024
    PubMed
    Abstract

    Insights

    This study reveals that Plasmodium knowlesi malaria significantly impacts the brain, showing elevated brain injury biomarkers and altered vascular markers in infected patients. Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance of these findings.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Biomarker Discovery

    Background:

    • Malaria, particularly Plasmodium knowlesi, poses a significant public health threat in Malaysia.
    • The neurological impact of P. knowlesi infection is not well understood, despite observed cerebral involvement in severe cases.

    Approach:

    • Analyzed plasma samples from 19 P. knowlesi patients and 19 healthy controls.
    • Measured 52 plasma biomarkers related to brain injury, inflammation, and vascular activation using Luminex and SIMOA assays.
    • Utilized statistical tests and hierarchical clustering to analyze biomarker profiles.

    Key Points:

    • Significantly elevated levels of brain injury biomarkers (S100B, Tau, UCH-L1, αSyn, Park7, NRGN, TDP-43) were found in P. knowlesi-infected patients.
    • Decreased levels of certain neurotrophic and neuronal biomarkers (BDNF, CaBD, CNTN1, NCAM-1, GFAP, KLK6) were observed in the infected group.
    • Distinct profiles of circulating brain injury and vascular activation biomarkers differentiated patients from controls.

    Conclusions:

    • P. knowlesi infection demonstrably alters circulating brain injury and endothelial activation biomarker profiles.
    • These findings provide novel insights into the neurological impact of P. knowlesi malaria.
    • Further investigation using neuroimaging and neurocognitive assessments is recommended to clarify the clinical implications.

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