Malaria-induced inflammation: a novel pathway for cardiovascular disease

• Grant number: 22/13150-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Cláudio Romero Farias Marinho
• Grantee: Cláudio Romero Farias Marinho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Jody Emile Phelan ; Maria Luiza de Morais Barreto de Chaves ; Odilson Marcos Silvestre ; Rodrigo Medeiros Martorano ; Sabrina Epiphanio ; Susana Gomes Campino ; Tor Biering-Sorensen

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)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

HIGGINS, MATTHEW; KRISTAN, MOJCA; COLLINS, EMMA L.; MESSENGER, LOUISA A.; DOMBROWSKI, JAMILLE G.; VANHEER, LEEN N.; NOLDER, DEBBIE; DRAKELEY, CHRISTOPHER J.; STONE, WILLIAM; MAHAMAR, ALMAHAMOUDOU; et al. A Pan Plasmodium lateral flow recombinase polymerase amplification assay for monitoring malaria parasites in vectors and human populations. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 14, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2024-08-30. (22/02771-3, 19/12068-5, 22/13150-0)

SILVA-SANTOS, YASMIN; PAGNI, ROBERTA LIBERATO; GAMON, THAIS HELENA MARTINS; DE AZEVEDO, MARCELA SANTIAGO PACHECO; BIELAVSKY, MONICA; DARIDO, MARIA LAURA GOUSSAIN; DE OLIVEIRA, DANIELLE BRUNA LEAL; DE SOUZA, EDMARCIA ELISA; WRENGER, CARSTEN; DURIGON, EDSON LUIZ; et al. Lisinopril increases lung ACE2 levels and SARS-CoV-2 viral load and decreases inflammation but not disease severity in experimental COVID-19. FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY, v. 15, p. 14-pg., 2024-07-12. (20/06409-1, 15/26722-8, 23/05478-8, 20/06747-4, 22/13150-0, 20/12277-0)