Malaria and Malnutrition: Kwashiorkor Associated with Low Levels of Parasitaemia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The relationship between protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and malaria is controversial. While most studies demonstrate that PEM is associated with greater malaria morbidity, some indicate that PEM may in fact have a protective effect. PEM is differentiated into three subgroups: kwashiorkor (marked protein deficiency), marasmus (calorie deficiency), and kwashiorkor/marasmus. None of the studies concerning PEM and malaria seem to distinguish between these subgroups, and significant differences in susceptibility to malaria between these subgroups may have been overlooked. Plasmodium parasites and malaria infected erythrocytes are sensitive to oxidative stress. Since kwashiorkor patients seem to display an excess of prooxidants and as serum albumin is an important antioxida

SUBMITTER: Fevang P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6247571 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature