Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature review

Abstract Malaria, though witnessing a decline in prevalence, remains a global health threat. Despite its primarily recognized impact on the hematological system, recent studies shed light on severe cardiac complications, particularly myocarditis, associated with Plasmodium infections. This review ex...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gbolahan Olatunji, Emmanuel Kokori, Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi, Olumide Akinmoju, Oluwatobi Omoworare, Doyin Olatunji, David Timilehin Isarinade, God-dowell O. Odukudu, Israel Charles Abraham, Samuel Owolabi, Jamil Nasrallah, Emmanuel Egbunu, Babafemi Oluwadarasimi Jaiyeoba, Ismaila Ajayi Yusuf, Olawale Olanisa, Nicholas Aderinto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-024-00396-4
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1841544321846738944
author Gbolahan Olatunji
Emmanuel Kokori
Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi
Olumide Akinmoju
Oluwatobi Omoworare
Doyin Olatunji
David Timilehin Isarinade
God-dowell O. Odukudu
Israel Charles Abraham
Samuel Owolabi
Jamil Nasrallah
Emmanuel Egbunu
Babafemi Oluwadarasimi Jaiyeoba
Ismaila Ajayi Yusuf
Olawale Olanisa
Nicholas Aderinto
author_facet Gbolahan Olatunji
Emmanuel Kokori
Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi
Olumide Akinmoju
Oluwatobi Omoworare
Doyin Olatunji
David Timilehin Isarinade
God-dowell O. Odukudu
Israel Charles Abraham
Samuel Owolabi
Jamil Nasrallah
Emmanuel Egbunu
Babafemi Oluwadarasimi Jaiyeoba
Ismaila Ajayi Yusuf
Olawale Olanisa
Nicholas Aderinto
author_sort Gbolahan Olatunji
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Malaria, though witnessing a decline in prevalence, remains a global health threat. Despite its primarily recognized impact on the hematological system, recent studies shed light on severe cardiac complications, particularly myocarditis, associated with Plasmodium infections. This review examines the literature on malaria-induced myocarditis to elucidate its mechanisms, clinical manifestations, regional perspectives, treatment outcomes, and diagnostic challenges. A literature search spanning PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified relevant studies up to January 2024, encompassing case reports, cohort studies, clinical trials, and experimental studies. The relationship between severe malaria and myocardial involvement is explored, showcasing elevated biomarkers indicative of myocardial damage. Notably, while Plasmodium falciparum is traditionally linked to malaria-induced myocarditis, instances of Plasmodium vivax contributing to cardiac complications are documented. Regional perspectives reveal diverse cases, emphasizing the importance of considering malaria-induced myocarditis in endemic regions and beyond. Treatment outcomes underscore the efficacy of timely antimalarial therapy, advocating for integrated approaches to patient care. Diagnostic challenges, often complicated by overlapping symptoms with other cardiac conditions, highlight the need for heightened clinical suspicion. Addressing therapeutic challenges involves balancing antimalarial drugs, supportive care, and long-term monitoring. Future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the necessity for understanding host-parasite interactions, elucidating molecular mechanisms, and developing targeted diagnostic tools. This review consolidates the current knowledge on malaria-induced myocarditis, emphasizing the significance of continuous vigilance, research, and improved diagnostic approaches to mitigate the impact of this overlooked complication.
format Article
id doaj-art-dc19bd423784498c93dbee4799adfa55
institution Kabale University
issn 2090-9098
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher SpringerOpen
record_format Article
series The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine
spelling doaj-art-dc19bd423784498c93dbee4799adfa552025-01-12T12:40:30ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine2090-90982025-01-013711810.1186/s43162-024-00396-4Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature reviewGbolahan Olatunji0Emmanuel Kokori1Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi2Olumide Akinmoju3Oluwatobi Omoworare4Doyin Olatunji5David Timilehin Isarinade6God-dowell O. Odukudu7Israel Charles Abraham8Samuel Owolabi9Jamil Nasrallah10Emmanuel Egbunu11Babafemi Oluwadarasimi Jaiyeoba12Ismaila Ajayi Yusuf13Olawale Olanisa14Nicholas Aderinto15Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of IlorinDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of IlorinSiberian State Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of IbadanLagos State University College of MedicineDepartment of Health Sciences, Western Illinois UniversityDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of IlorinMorehouse School of MedicineDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of IlorinLagos State Health Service CommissionFaculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese UniversityFederal Medical CentreDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of IlorinDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching HospitalTrinity Health CentreDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of TechnologyAbstract Malaria, though witnessing a decline in prevalence, remains a global health threat. Despite its primarily recognized impact on the hematological system, recent studies shed light on severe cardiac complications, particularly myocarditis, associated with Plasmodium infections. This review examines the literature on malaria-induced myocarditis to elucidate its mechanisms, clinical manifestations, regional perspectives, treatment outcomes, and diagnostic challenges. A literature search spanning PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified relevant studies up to January 2024, encompassing case reports, cohort studies, clinical trials, and experimental studies. The relationship between severe malaria and myocardial involvement is explored, showcasing elevated biomarkers indicative of myocardial damage. Notably, while Plasmodium falciparum is traditionally linked to malaria-induced myocarditis, instances of Plasmodium vivax contributing to cardiac complications are documented. Regional perspectives reveal diverse cases, emphasizing the importance of considering malaria-induced myocarditis in endemic regions and beyond. Treatment outcomes underscore the efficacy of timely antimalarial therapy, advocating for integrated approaches to patient care. Diagnostic challenges, often complicated by overlapping symptoms with other cardiac conditions, highlight the need for heightened clinical suspicion. Addressing therapeutic challenges involves balancing antimalarial drugs, supportive care, and long-term monitoring. Future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the necessity for understanding host-parasite interactions, elucidating molecular mechanisms, and developing targeted diagnostic tools. This review consolidates the current knowledge on malaria-induced myocarditis, emphasizing the significance of continuous vigilance, research, and improved diagnostic approaches to mitigate the impact of this overlooked complication.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-024-00396-4MalariaMyocarditisPlasmodiumCardiovascular complications
spellingShingle Gbolahan Olatunji
Emmanuel Kokori
Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi
Olumide Akinmoju
Oluwatobi Omoworare
Doyin Olatunji
David Timilehin Isarinade
God-dowell O. Odukudu
Israel Charles Abraham
Samuel Owolabi
Jamil Nasrallah
Emmanuel Egbunu
Babafemi Oluwadarasimi Jaiyeoba
Ismaila Ajayi Yusuf
Olawale Olanisa
Nicholas Aderinto
Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature review
The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine
Malaria
Myocarditis
Plasmodium
Cardiovascular complications
title Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature review
title_full Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature review
title_fullStr Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature review
title_full_unstemmed Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature review
title_short Myocarditis in malaria—current evidence and future directions: a literature review
title_sort myocarditis in malaria current evidence and future directions a literature review
topic Malaria
Myocarditis
Plasmodium
Cardiovascular complications
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-024-00396-4
work_keys_str_mv AT gbolahanolatunji myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT emmanuelkokori myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT ikponmwosajudeogieuhi myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT olumideakinmoju myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT oluwatobiomoworare myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT doyinolatunji myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT davidtimilehinisarinade myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT goddowelloodukudu myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT israelcharlesabraham myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT samuelowolabi myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT jamilnasrallah myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT emmanuelegbunu myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT babafemioluwadarasimijaiyeoba myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT ismailaajayiyusuf myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT olawaleolanisa myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview
AT nicholasaderinto myocarditisinmalariacurrentevidenceandfuturedirectionsaliteraturereview