Abstract
The pathogenesis of severe malarial disease is not yet fully understood. It is clear that host immunopathology plays a central role, and a recent paper in BMC Evolutionary Biology suggests that the ability of the parasite to stimulate interleukin-10 production is a major factor and speculates on its impact on the coevolution of host and parasite.
Highlights
Severe malaria can be resolved broadly into two different syndromes: cerebral malaria and severe malarial anemia
With the aim of identifying factors that may be relevant in the evolution of this balance, Long et al in a recent article in BMC Evolutionary Biology [2] have investigated the influence of the inflammatory response on the severity of disease in a rodent model of malaria, and we discuss here how their results may bear on the coevolution of parasite and host, in the context of what is known about the determinants of severe malarial disease in humans
Severe malarial anemia occurs when the suppression of erythrocyte production, combined with the destruction of red blood cells by the parasite itself, leads to a profound anemia which can cause shock and respiratory distress. Both syndromes can involve a range of metabolic complications such as acidosis or hypoglycemia [3]. Both host and parasite factors are likely to contribute to the processes leading to severe disease, and Long et al have examined one possible interaction using mice infected with different clones of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi
Summary
Severe malaria can be resolved broadly into two different syndromes: cerebral malaria and severe malarial anemia. With the aim of identifying factors that may be relevant in the evolution of this balance, Long et al in a recent article in BMC Evolutionary Biology [2] have investigated the influence of the inflammatory response on the severity of disease in a rodent model of malaria, and we discuss here how their results may bear on the coevolution of parasite and host, in the context of what is known about the determinants of severe malarial disease in humans.
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