Eye can provide a deeper insight into cerebral malaria: Study
POSTED January 17, 2009 - 19:55 | POSTED BY Nisha Bhatia
Last edited by Shikha Patial on January 17, 2009 - 20:38
London, United Kingdom, January 17: Scientists have formulated a new theory according to which, human eye examination can greatly help in comprehending the way acute malaria attacks the brain of the victim.
Highlighting this fact, the researchers have opened new doors to finding effective cures for the deadly malaria. Malaria is the leading cause of deaths in Africa.
According to the researchers, eye examination of people with cerebral malaria can reveal the presence of tiny blockages in the blood vessels of the brain. These blockages are very dangerous as these deprive the brain cells from proper oxygen supply resulting in origination of many diseases. This is more common in children.
Statins are commonly used drugs for improving blood circulation in the tiny vessels. So these drugs or similar drugs can be used to combat cerebral malaria, the researchers affirmed.
In a telephonic interview, lead researcher Nick Beare of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital said, "What we are talking about is multiple small areas of blockages in the brain where the brain isn't getting enough blood and oxygen…We think this is critical in causing coma and death in cerebral malaria.”
Beare said eyes of a patient are like windows, peeping into which a physician can get knowledge about cerebral malaria. This is a very noteworthy revelation and can surely help the scientists to study the development process of the lethal cerebral malaria.
The only effective treatment to prevent malaria is Novartis AG's Coartem. But such drugs kill the malaria parasite alone, these do not prevent diseases that cause coma and ultimately, death.
Malaria causing mosquitoes transmit a parasite called plasmodium from one person to another. But recent studies have shown that the malaria parasite has become resistant to few of the drugs.
As per the recent statistics accumulated by the World Health Organization in 2006, nearly 881,000 people lost their lives due to malaria infection and 247 million people became victims of malaria infection around the globe (with Africa remaining the most affected country).
The study findings, which may prove helpful in combating this deadly epidemic, were published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
