A polymorphism that affects OCT-1 binding to the TNF promoter region is associated with severe malaria.

Genetic variation in cytokine promoter regions is postulated to influence susceptibility to infection, but the molecular mechanisms by which such polymorphisms might affect gene regulation are unknown. Through systematic DNA footprinting of the TNF (encoding tumour necrosis factor, TNF) promoter region, we have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that causes the helix-turn-helix transcription factor OCT-1 to bind to a novel region of complex protein-DNA interactions and alters gene expression in human monocytes. The OCT-1-binding genotype, found in approximately 5% of Africans, is associated with fourfold increased susceptibility to cerebral malaria in large case-control studies of West African and East African populations, after correction for other known TNF polymorphisms and linked HLA alleles.

NFKBIZ polymorphisms and susceptibility to pneumococcal disease in European and African populations.

The proinflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) has a central role in host defence against pneumococcal disease. Both rare mutations and common polymorphisms in the NFKBIA gene encoding the NF-kappaB inhibitor, IkappaB-alpha, associate with susceptibility to bacterial disease, but the possible role of polymorphisms within the related IkappaB-zeta gene NFKBIZ in the development of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has not been reported previously. To investigate this further, we examined the frequencies of 22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms spanning NFKBIZ in two case-control studies, comprising UK Caucasian (n=1008) and Kenyan (n=723) individuals. Nine polymorphisms within a single UK linkage disequilibrium (LD) block and all four polymorphisms within the equivalent, shorter Kenyan LD block displayed either a significant association with IPD or a trend towards association. For each polymorphism, heterozygosity was associated with protection from IPD when compared with the combined homozygous states (for example, for rs600718, Mantel-Haenszel 2 x 2 chi(2)=7.576, P=0.006, odds ratio (OR)=0.67, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for OR: 0.51-0.88; for rs616597, Mantel-Haenszel 2 x 2 chi(2)=8.715, P=0.003, OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.49-0.86). We conclude that multiple NFKBIZ polymorphisms associate with susceptibility to IPD in humans. The study of multiple populations may aid in fine mapping of associations within extensive regions of strong LD ('transethnic mapping').

Variation in the ICAM1 gene is not associated with severe malaria phenotypes.

Evidence from autopsy and in vitro binding studies suggests that adhesion of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum to the human host intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 receptor is important in the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Previous association studies between polymorphisms in the ICAM1 gene and susceptibility to severe malarial phenotypes have been inconclusive and often contradictory. We performed genetic association studies with 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) around the ICAM1 locus. All SNPs were screened in a family study of 1071 trios from The Gambia, Malawi and Kenya. Two key non-synonymous SNPs with previously reported associations, rs5491 (K56M or 'ICAM-1(Kilifi)') and rs5498 (K469E), were tested in an additional 708 Gambian trios and a case-control study of 4058 individuals. None of the polymorphisms were associated with severe malaria phenotypes. Pooled results across our studies for ICAM-1(Kilifi) were, in severe malaria, odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.09, P=0.54, and cerebral malaria OR 1.07, CI 0.97-1.17, P=0.17. We assess the available epidemiological, population genetic and functional evidence that links ICAM-1(Kilifi) to severe malaria susceptibility.

Trust and informed consent: insights from community members on the Kenyan coast.

Trust is an important theme running through the literature on the ethics of biomedical research, but it is rarely given centre stage. In this paper, we present data gathered from a study aimed at exploring community views regarding the informed consent processes carried out by a large research centre on the Kenyan Coast. The findings point to the centrality of trust and elements of mistrust in general community views, in parents' (mis)understanding of studies they consent their children to be involved in, in refusals and concerns, and in community members' views about whether informed consent is a relevant and practical model to follow. Tentative ideas on how trust and a healthy mistrust might be balanced highlight the importance of strengthening communication surrounding basic health care as well as research, and of fostering 'an inner generated ethic of service'. The latter is particularly fundamental, but cannot be built and regulated through the laws, policies and guidelines that currently govern biomedical research practice.

'Even if they ask you to stand by a tree all day, you will have to do it (laughter)...!': community voices on the notion and practice of informed consent for biomedical research in developing countries.

Ethical dilemmas in biomedical research, especially in vulnerable populations, often spark heated debate. Despite recommendations and guidelines, many issues remain controversial, including the relevance, prioritisation and application of individual voluntary informed consent in non-Western settings. The voices of the people likely to be the subjects of research have been notably absent from the debate. We held discussions with groups of community members living in the rural study area of a large research unit in Kenya. Discussions were facilitated by three research study vignettes outlining one field-based and two hospital-based studies being planned or taking place at the time. In addition to gathering general views about the aims and activities of the research unit, questions focused on whether consent should be sought for studies, and if so from whom (chiefs, elders, men/women, children), and on ascertaining whether there are any special concerns about the physical act of signing consent forms. The findings revealed the community's difficulty in distinguishing research from clinical investigations conducted in clinical settings. There was a spectrum of views regarding perceived appropriateness of consent procedures, in part because of difficulty in disentangling clinical from research aims, and because of other challenges to applying consent in practice. Debates between community members highlight the inadequacy of simplistic assumptions about community members' views on informed consent, and the complexity of incorporating lay opinions into biomedical research. Failure to appreciate these issues risks exaggerating differences between settings, and underestimating the time and resources required to ensure meaningful community involvement in research processes. Ultimately, it risks inadequately responding to the needs and values of those on whom the success of most biomedical research depends. Although compliance with community views does not necessarily make the research more ethical, it is argued that community opinions on local issues and practices should inform ethical decision-making in health research.

Glucose homeostasis in children with falciparum malaria: precursor supply limits gluconeogenesis and glucose production.

To evaluate glucose kinetics in children with falciparum malaria, basal glucose production and gluconeogenesis and an estimate of the flux of the gluconeogenic precursors were measured in Kenyan children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria before (n = 11) and during infusion of alanine (1.5 mg/kg.min; n = 6). Glucose production was measured by [6,6-2H2]glucose, gluconeogenesis by mass isotopomer distribution analysis of glucose labeled by [2-13C]glycerol. Basal plasma glucose concentration ranged from 2.1-5.5 mmol/L, and basal glucose production ranged from 3.3-7.3 mg/kg.min. Glucose production was largely derived from gluconeogenesis (73 +/- 4%; range, 52-93%). During alanine infusion, plasma glucose increased by 0.4 mmol/L (P = 0.03), glucose production increased by 0.8 mg/kg.min (P = 0.02), and gluconeogenesis increased by 0.8 mg/kg.min (P = 0.04). We conclude that glucose production in children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria is largely dependent on gluconeogenesis. However, gluconeogenesis is potentially limited by insufficient precursor supply. These data indicate that in children with falciparum malaria, gluconeogenesis fails to compensate in the presence of decreased glycogen flux to glucose, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.

Inflammatory mediators in children with protein-energy malnutrition.

Edema is a typical sign in kwashiorkor, which is present in a subset of patients with protein-energy-malnutrition (PEM). The pathophysiology of this edema is not well established. One of the abnormalities found in kwashiorkor is reduced concentrations of antioxidants, suggesting a compromised capacity to neutralize free radicals, which are known to induce tissue damage. We have studied plasma concentrations of several mediators of the inflammatory cascade. Concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, and the soluble receptors of tumor necrosis factor alpha (sTNFR-p55 and sTNFR-p75) are greater in children with PEM, particularly in those with kwashiorkor, whereas soluble receptors of IL-6 (sIL6R-gp80) and IL-1 receptor antagonist concentrations are not significantly different from those of healthy children. In addition, concentrations of IL-6, sTNFR-p55, and sTNFR-p75 are greater in kwashiorkor patients irrespective of the presence of infection. Antioxidant status, as determined by plasma concentrations of glutathione and vitamin E, is significantly reduced in kwashiorkor patients. These data support the notion that children with edematous malnutrition show increased inflammatory reactivity that may contribute to edema formation.

Photographic and angiographic characterization of the retina of Kenyan children with severe malaria.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate retinal lesions in children with severe falciparum malaria. METHODS: Color photography and fluorescein angiography were performed in consecutive children admitted to a pediatric high-dependency unit in Kenya during 1 malaria season. The presence and category of retinal lesion was compared with disease severity, clinical outcome, anemia, lactic acidosis, and parasite count. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with cerebral malaria and 14 patients who were prostrate were studied. Thirty-one of the patients had clinical features of ocular disease, including round, flame-shaped, and white-centered hemorrhages; peripheral and foveal retinal opacification; peripheral vascular occlusion; venous dilation; disc edema with hyperemia; and arterial pulsatility. Of 8 patients with retinal opacification, only 2 showed small, infrequent zones of capillary nonperfusion on fluorescein angiography; the leakage of dye at sites of opacification was not seen. Retinal opacification was significantly associated with a higher parasite count (P < .02). White-centered hemorrhages were significantly associated with a higher parasite count (P < .05), severe disease (p < .05), and severe anemia (P < .02). CONCLUSIONS: The blood-retina barrier and retinal vascular flow remain substantially normal despite widespread pathological features. Retinal features in children with severe malaria are consistent with cellular hypoxia, nutritional deficiency, or both rather than with vascular occlusion; they support the concept of metabolic steal by parasites.

Deep breathing in children with severe malaria: indicator of metabolic acidosis and poor outcome.

Despite the frequent association of respiratory symptoms and signs with malarial morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, the value of individual symptoms and signs has rarely been assessed. We have prospectively examined the association of individual clinical findings with the summary diagnosis of respiratory distress, outcome, and the presence of metabolic acidosis in children admitted with severe malaria to a Kenyan district hospital. Respiratory distress was present in 119 of the 350 children included in the study and in 23 of the 30 deaths (relative risk = 6.5, 95% confidence interval = 2.8-14.4). The features of a history of dyspnea, nasal flaring, and indrawing or deep breathing (Kussmaul's respiration) were individually most closely associated with the summary diagnosis of respiratory distress. Of these, deep breathing, which was sensitive (91%) and specific (83%) for the presence of severe metabolic acidosis (base excess < or = -12), is the best candidate sign to represent the prognostically important syndrome of malarial respiratory distress. Therefore, it warrants further prospective evaluation in different clinical settings and areas of different malaria endemicity.

Limited spatial clustering of individual Plasmodium falciparum alleles in field isolates from coastal Kenya.

We describe Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity in coastal Kenya, typing S-antigen and the merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 (MSP-1 and MSP-2) in field isolates by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Malaria in coastal Kenya is characterized by low seasonal transmission, and a relatively high incidence of severe disease, which tends to occur in time-space clusters. We chose the highly polymorphic S-antigen as a marker for localized parasite diversity because it has been shown to vary in serotype prevalence in time and space. A total of 261 children (up to nine years of age) in two neighboring locations with different transmission rates were sampled for blood-stage parasites in cross-sectional surveys before and after the main transmission period in 1991, and also in a concomitant one-year longitudinal survey tracing clinical infections. Six major sequence types of S-antigen were identified, which were subdivided into 70 alleles; however, only 50% of isolates were typeable. The S-antigen sequence types varied qualitatively between locations, over time, and between asymptomatic and clinical disease infections, but not between different age groups. The MSP-1 and MSP-2 sequence type prevalences, in contrast, did not differ in any of these comparisons. We describe the use of the Mantel test for assessing clustering of individual parasite alleles at the household level, and demonstrate low-level clustering of MSP-1 and MSP-2 alleles and S-antigen sequence types, at the end of a long period of low transmission.

Parasite viability during treatment of severe falciparum malaria: differential effects of artemether and quinine.

The effect of artemether (AR) and quinine (QN) on parasite viability ex vivo was compared in children being treated for severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Parasitized blood taken at intervals during treatment was cultured in vitro, and parasite development was assessed microscopically. Parasite viability (defined as the proportion of circulating rings developing to early schizonts) was 56.8% in the AR group (n = 7) 6 hr after the start of treatment, compared with 93.3% for QN (n = 6; P = 0.015). Even after 24 hr of QN treatment, parasite viability was not significantly reduced in five patients. These ex vivo findings, which confirm previous observations of the stage-specific effects of these drugs against P. falciparum, suggest that AR may be superior to QN in the treatment of severe malaria.

Receptor-specific adhesion and clinical disease in Plasmodium falciparum.

One important factor in the virulence of infections with Plasmodium falciparum is the adherence of infected erythrocytes to small vessel endothelium. In infections that lead to serious, life-threatening disease accumulation of large numbers of infected cells in particular organs is thought to lead to organ dysfunction or failure. This is of particular relevance when the affected organ is the brain, leading to the development of cerebral malaria. Many different endothelial receptors for infected red blood cells have been identified. Some receptors such as CD36 and thrombospondin are used by all parasite isolates, whereas others such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) or vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) are used by a subset of field and laboratory isolates. While it has been speculated that the ability to bind or affinity of binding to a particular endothelial receptor may be related to the pattern of disease, only studies with limited numbers of patients have been carried out to date and these have been in general inconclusive. Here we have taken parasite isolates from 150 patients with defined clinical syndromes as well as isolates from 50 healthy but parasitized community controls and quantitatively assessed their binding to purified endothelial receptors in vitro. Our results show that disregarding the level of adhesion, all parasites bind to CD36, most bind to ICAM-1, few bind to VCAM, and almost none bind to E-selectin. In assessing the degree of binding we show that 1) binding to all receptors was reduced in parasites taken from severely anemic patients; 2) binding to CD36 is identical in parasites from cerebral malaria patients and community controls but slightly elevated in parasites from nonsevere cases; and 3) binding to ICAM-1 is highest in cerebral malaria patients. Because rosette formation by uninfected cells has also been a phenotype associated with disease severity and one that may interfere in vitro with receptor binding, we also assessed rosette formation in all isolates. In this study the highest level of rosette-forming parasites was found in the anemic group and not the cerebral malaria group. Stratifying the data for the frequency of rosette formation showed that the above results were not significantly altered by this phenomenon. Our data are not consistent with a role for binding to CD36 in the development of severe disease but show an association between the degree of binding to ICAM-1 and clinical illness in nonanemic patients.

Quinine treatment of severe falciparum malaria in African children: a randomized comparison of three regimens.

The pharmacokinetics and effectiveness of three dosage regimens of quinine were studied in a group of 59 children with severe malaria. The children were randomized to receive high-dose intravenous or intramuscular quinine (20 mg salt/kg loading, then 10 mg salt/kg every 12 hr), or low-dose intravenous quinine (10 mg salt/kg loading, then 5 mg salt/kg every 12 hr). In the group receiving the high-dose intravenous regimen, mean high and low quinine concentrations were consistently greater than 10 and 6.5 mg/l, respectively. Peak concentrations as well as the time required to achieve them were similar in the intramuscular and high-dose intravenous groups. The low-dose intravenous quinine regimen resulted in mean peak concentrations greater than 6 mg/l and mean low concentrations greater than 3.5 mg/l. All blood concentrations exceeded the 99% in vitro inhibitory concentration (EC99) of 0.89 mg/l or less of quinine for 60 isolates of Plasmodium falciparum, which were taken from children with malaria during the same period. Judged by a number of clinical criteria, the response was better in patients receiving the high-dose than the low-dose intravenous regimen. The time taken to clear parasites with both the high-dose intravenous and intramuscular regimens were significantly shorter than those obtained in the low-dose group. We have also shown for the first time that the rate of parasite clearance can be directly related to the area under the quinine concentration versus time curve. This applied to all three quinine regimens (r = 0.4252, P less than 0.02; n less than or equal to 35). Five patients, two on the low-dose regimen, two on the intramuscular regimen, and one on the high-dose regimen, developed hypoglycemia after admission, but in these cases, insulin concentrations were correspondingly low. No significant quinine toxicity was observed in any of the cases. The high-dose intravenous quinine regimen described here may be optimal for treatment of severe falciparum malaria in areas of chloroquine resistance in Africa. Our data provide no justification for reducing the dose of quinine in the treatment of severe malaria in Africa. The intramuscular regimen could provide a satisfactory alternative in areas where intravenous administration might be delayed or is impossible.

The influence of alanine infusion on glucose production in 'malnourished' African children with falciparum malaria.

By US standards, about half of African children are malnourished, although most appear clinically normal. It is possible that precursor supply for gluconeogenesis is limited to a greater extent in these seemingly malnourished African children than in healthy children, consequently limiting glucose production. Since in malaria peripheral glucose utilization is increased, precursor supply could play an even more critical role in maintaining glucose production in African children suffering from falciparum malaria. We studied the effect of alanine infusion (1.5 mg/kg/min) on glucose production (measured by infusion of [6,6-2H2]glucose) and plasma glucose concentration in 10 consecutive children with acute, uncomplicated falciparum malaria. By US standards, six children were below the 10th percentile of weight for height and seven were below the 10th percentile of height for age. Plasma concentrations of alanine increased during alanine infusion from 153 +/- 21 to 468 +/- 39 mumol/l, whereas plasma lactate concentrations did not change (1.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/l). Plasma glucose concentration and glucose production did not change during alanine infusion: 4.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.3 mmol/l and 5.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 5.7 +/- 0.3 mg/kg/min, respectively. Gluconeogenic precursor supply is sufficient for maintainance of glucose production in African children with uncomplicated malaria who are malnourished by US standards.

Severe P. falciparum malaria in Kenyan children: evidence for hypovolaemia.

BACKGROUND: The role of volume resuscitation in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria is controversial. AIM: To examine the role of hypovolaemia in severe childhood malaria. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: We studied 515 children admitted with severe malaria to a high-dependency unit (HDU) in Kilifi, Kenya. On admission to the HDU, children underwent a further assessment of vital signs and a standard clinical examination. RESULTS: Factors associated with a fatal outcome included deep breathing or acidosis (base excess below -8), hypotension (systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg), raised plasma creatinine (>80 micro mol/l), low oxygen saturation (<90%), dehydration and hypoglycaemia (<2.5 mmol/l). Shock was present in 212/372 (57%) children, of whom 37 (17.5%) died, and was absent in 160, of who only 7 (4.4%) died (chi(2) = 14.9; p = 0.001). DISCUSSION: Impaired tissue perfusion may play a role in the mortality of severe malaria. Moreover, volume resuscitation, an important life-saving intervention in children with hypovolaemia, should be considered in severe malaria with evidence of impaired tissue perfusion.

The role of shops in the treatment and prevention of childhood malaria on the coast of Kenya.

A community survey of 388 mothers in a rural and peri-urban population surrounding a district hospital on the coast of Kenya revealed that the preferred choice of treatment for childhood febrile illnesses was with proprietary drugs bought over the counter at shops and kiosks (72% of interviews). 67% of the mothers who reported using shops claimed they would buy chloroquine-based drugs. Preventative measures such as mosquito nets were uncommon (6.2%), but the use of commercial pyrethrum mosquito coils was reported more frequently (46.4%). Separate investigations of treatment given to 394 children before presentation at hospital with severe and mild malaria was consistent with the reports in the community of high usage of shop-bought anti-malarials and anti-pyretics. The involvement of the private sector in peripheral health care delivery for malaria is discussed.

Cognitive sequelae of severe malaria with impaired consciousness.

Although cerebral malaria is the most common acute encephalopathy arising in children in Africa little is known of its effect upon the longer-term cognitive development of survivors. In Kenya, we compared the performance of 87 survivors of severe malaria with impaired consciousness to matched community controls on a wide range of tasks, not less than 42 months post illness episode. The presence of cognitive impairment was then related to both the pattern of symptoms at the time of the acute illness and the presence of gross neurological impairment on discharge. Significant group differences were found in areas of cognitive functioning suggestive of widespread impairment in the development of the ability to initiate, plan and carry out tasks (the executive functions). On tasks of more discrete cognitive skills (information processing) there were no significant group differences, although impaired performance was found more frequently in the severe malaria group. The odds ratio associated with the development of cognitive impairment following severe malaria with impaired consciousness was found to be 4.48 (95% CI 1.22, 16.47). A combination of 4 signs (coma, hypoglycaemia, seizures, and absence of hyperpyrexia) proved to have greater accuracy than the presence of gross neurological sequelae in predicting cognitive impairment (95% vs 93% specificity, 67% vs 58% sensitivity).

Screening for severe anaemia in pregnancy in Kenya, using pallor examination and self-reported morbidity.

Severe anaemia in pregnancy is an important preventable cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Different methods of screening for severe anaemia in pregnancy were evaluated in a 2-phased study conducted in Kilifi, Kenya. In phase 1 (in 1994/95), pallor testing was evaluated alone and in addition to raised respiratory/pulse rates: 1787 pregnant women were examined by one of 2 midwives. Sensitivities for detecting severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 7 g/dL) were 62% and 69% and specificities 87% and 77%, respectively for each of the midwives. Addition of high pulse rate increased sensitivity to 77% and 81%, but specificity reduced to 60% and 51%, respectively. In phase 2, following qualitative in-depth work, a screening questionnaire was developed. An algorithm based on screening questions had 80% sensitivity and 40% specificity. Midwife pallor-assessment was conducted following the screening questionnaire. In this phase (conducted in 1997), the midwife performed very highly in detecting severe anaemia, achieving sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 92%. Spending a few minutes asking women questions may have improved the ability to interpret pallor findings. This study demonstrates the value of pallor testing and raises alternative approaches to improving it.

Periodicity and space-time clustering of severe childhood malaria on the coast of Kenya.

Traditionally malaria epidemiology has focused on factors such as parasite rates and vector dynamics without specific reference to disease. There are limited comprehensive data on malaria as a life-threatening event in African children. We have identified, through hospital surveillance, 581 episodes of severe malaria in residents of a defined area on the Kenya coast over a period of 3 years. This represents an absolute minimum risk of developing severe malaria by the fifth birthday of 1 in 15. The presentation of severe malaria showed marked seasonality, but the timing and magnitude of these fluctuations varied considerably between years. A satellite navigational system was used to define the exact location of the home of each severe malaria case. Space-time clustering of severe malaria was evident in this community. Seasonal peaks in incidence of severe malaria may comprise discrete mini-epidemics. In contrast, parasite rates in the community varied little during the course of the surveillance. The monitoring of disease, as opposed to parasitization, in children may result in more effective targeting of intervention resources.

Coma scales for children with severe falciparum malaria.

The Blantyre coma scale (BCS) is used to assess children with severe falciparum malaria, particularly as a criterion for cerebral malaria, but it has not been formally validated. We compared the BCS to the Adelaide coma scale (ACS), for Kenyan children with severe malaria. We examined the inter-observer agreement between 3 observers in the assessment of coma scales on 17 children by measuring the proportion of agreement (PA), disagreement rate (DR) and fixed sample size kappa (kappa n). We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the scales in detecting events (seizures and hypoglycaemia) in 240 children during admission and the usefulness of the scales in predicting outcome. There was considerable disagreement between observers in the assessment of both scales (BCS: PA = 0.55, DR = 0.09 and kappa n = 0.27; ACS: PA = 0.36, DR = 0.31, and kappa n = 0.31), particularly with the verbal component of the BCS (kappa n = 0.02). Compared to the ACS, the BCS was more specific (0.85 for BCS and 0.80 for ACS), but less sensitive (0.25-0.69 vs. 0.38-0.88 respectively) in detecting events and was a worse predictor of neurological sequelae. The BCS provided a better overall assessment of a child's incapacity from falciparum malaria, but the ACS was more useful in assessing neurological disturbances.