Malaria-induced inflammation: a novel pathway for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

The increase in cardiovascular disease in developing countries seems to occur in the setting of high incedence infectious diseases. Malaria is a highly prevalent infectious disease in these regions, with 230 million cases per year. There are some studies suggesting that malaria causes structural changes in the heart and affects specific vascular pathways, leading to an increased risk of hypertension and decreased myocardial contractility. However, there are still several gaps in knowledge that prove this association and the mechanisms involved. Objective: To investigate the relationship between malaria and cardiovascular changes in an endemic region in Brazil. Methods: The first stage of the study was conducted in the municipalities of Cruzeiro do Sul and Tarauacá (Acre), with the inclusion of 483 patients with a lifetime history of malaria and 439 without a history of this disease, both groups not infected at the time of inclusion. We also included 126 patients infected with Plasmodium spp., for whom follow-up was performed 30 days after the enrollmentr. So far, routine laboratory tests, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram have been performed on patients in the three groups. Subsequently, cardiac and endothelial markers, cytokines and genetic analysis will be evaluated. It is intended, therefore, not only to detect the mechanisms present in the pathogenesis of malaria with the potential to generate cardiovascular changes, but also the risk factors for this to occur. (AU)