Abstract

PATHOPSIOLOGY OF CEREBRAL MALARIA

Nur Laili Rahmatin*

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Abstract

Malaria is a common protozoan infection that is responsible for worldwide mortality and economic burden on the society. One of the most common central nervous system diseases in tropical countries is cerebral malaria (CM). Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) caused Cerebral Malaria may be lethal. Many pathophysiological hypotheses underlying cerebral malaria have been revealed. But what has developed until now is the mechanical, permeability and humoral hypothesis. In this review article, emphasized how pathogenesis of the disease is effected by the parasite and host responses including blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption, endothelial cell activation and the role nitric oxide and neuroinflammation. In these hypotheses the aspects involved are expressed and many are still not understood. Understanding this will help in the treatment of cerebral malaria.

Keywords: Malaria, Plasmodium, Cerebral Malaria, Pathogenesis, Cytoadherence.