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[Changes in gastric mucosa in acute malaria]
A Romero1, C Matos, M M González
1Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Ruiz y Páez, Universidad de Oriente, Ciudad Bolívar.
G.E.N
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Malaria infection, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, causes gastric issues like epigastric pain and nausea due to mucosal edema and microthrombosis. These findings explain upper digestive tract symptoms in acute malaria patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Context:
- High incidence of malaria in Venezuela's Bolívar state.
- Observed gastric symptoms alongside classic malaria presentation.
- Limited research on malaria's gastrointestinal effects.
Purpose:
- To investigate gastric mucosal changes in malaria patients.
- To correlate Plasmodium infection with upper digestive tract pathology.
- To understand the pathophysiology of malaria-related gastric symptoms.
Summary:
- One hundred malaria patients with gastric symptoms underwent endoscopy and biopsy.
- Common endoscopic findings included mucosal edema and congestion (gastritis), predominantly in the antrum and fundus.
- Microscopic analysis revealed mucosal edema, bleeding, microthrombosis, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia.
- Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 52 cases, P. vivax in 39, and 9 had mixed infections.
Impact:
- Microthrombosis and ischemic changes likely cause acute gastric symptoms in malaria.
- Findings provide a pathophysiological explanation for upper digestive symptoms in acute malaria.
- Highlights the gastrointestinal manifestations of malaria, especially with P. falciparum.