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Query: UMLS:C0024530 (malaria)
 44,886 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the studies reported here, we examined the role of calcium in the maturation of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, and in the loss of red cell deformability associated with parasite maturation. P. falciparum alters the permeability of its host red cell, which normally maintains submicromolar cytoplasmic concentrations of calcium. Infection of the red cell and parasite maturation produce a 30-fold increase in calcium uptake. Both parasite maturation and the loss of red cell deformability are blocked by EGTA (by extracellular-free calcium concentrations less than or equal to 35 microM) and by other calcium antagonists. The loss of red cell deformability that occurs with parasite maturation is accompanied by alterations in the cytoskeletal proteins of parasitized red cells similar to those produced by the calcium ionophore A23187 (reductions in bands 2.1 [ankyrin], 4.1, and 5 [actin]). These results establish that parasite development and the loss of red cell deformability are calcium-dependent. They suggest that parasite-induced changes in the calcium permeability of the red cell activate endogenous transglutaminase activity by raising the free calcium concentration of the red cell cytoplasm.
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PMID:Calcium and the malaria parasite: parasite maturation and the loss of red cell deformability. 190 27

Infection with the blood stage of the malaria parasite Plasmodium vinckei is uniformly lethal in mice. We found that immunization of BALB/c mice with a combination of killed P. vinckei antigens and an attenuated (aroA) Salmonella typhimurium strain induces high levels of protection against challenge with live P. vinckei. This is especially significant because, in our previous studies, immunization of mice with killed P. vinckei antigens and adjuvants such as Bordetella pertussis, complete Freund adjuvant, and saponin failed to induce protective immunity. Immunization with attenuated S. typhimurium alone did not provide any nonspecific immunity. In vivo depletion of CD4+ T cells in the mice immunized with attenuated S. typhimurium and P. vinckei antigens caused the loss of their immunity. Expression of this immunity required the presence of a spleen. These results support our previous hypothesis that a blood stage malaria vaccine may need both induction of CD4+ T cells specific for the parasite and modification of the spleen with a vaccine vehicle. Therefore, attenuated Salmonella strains such as the one used in this study, when expressing recombinant malarial antigens, might fulfill this requirement.
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PMID:Immunization of mice against Plasmodium vinckei with a combination of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium and malarial antigen. 197 14

Among infectious diseases caused by protozoa, malaria is still the greatest killer of children. Mortality in adults living in endemic areas is significantly lower because they frequently acquire partial or complete immunity to the major pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum. This natural protection indicates that vaccination may be possible, and the first candidate antigens were cloned with the use of human immune sera as probes. Genetic and biochemical analysis of the parasite proteins revealed that they are polymorphic, and frequently gene sequences were discovered which were specific for a particular parasite isolate, which eliminated most antigens for purposes of vaccine development. The most promising candidate antigens today are the major surface proteins of sporozoites and blood stage parasites. However, the immune response against those is not sufficient for complete protection, and additional, intensive research is necessary to identify new molecules to be included in a vaccine cocktail against malaria. The current spread of the disease due to increasing drug resistance of parasites and mosquito vectors emphasizes the urgent need for a vaccine.
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PMID:Malaria vaccine. 200 17

In 1985-1987 in Afghanistan 75 wounded, who at the same time had infectious diseases (benign tertian malaria, viral hepatitis, typhoid, dysentery, amebiasis), and 51 patients with gunshot wounds of soft tissues had a checkup and treatment. The control group was consisted of 54 sound volunteers. All the patients, 18-30 years old, male sex, were examined for the dynamics of general and special features of the wound process, hemogram and index of reactivity (Rotter-Kavetsky test). It was found out that in the indicated conditions the process of healing of tissue was worsening considerably because of the infection, off syndrome of the reciprocal aggravation arose. The qualitative initial surgical treatment of wounds, influence upon the reactivity of the organism, opportune diagnosis and treatment of the infectious diseases promote the shortening and improve the outcome of illness.
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PMID:[The clinical characteristics of combat injuries against a background of infections]. 201 62

Five hundred and ninety-four patients were consecutively admitted to an infectious disease unit over a 2-year period with a referral diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis or food poisoning. In 175 (29%) patients, gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with a condition other than gastrointestinal infection. Non-infective gastrointestinal disease was present in 90 patients, systemic infection in 50 and systemic disease in 35. Four illustrative case histories are presented to emphasize the need for a high index of suspicion if diseases such as malaria, septicaemia or appendicitis are not to be missed.
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PMID:Acute gastroenteritis: the need to remember alternative diagnoses. 208 49

Freeze-thawing of blood infected with malaria parasites is a technique which brings about the destruction of all stages except the merozoites and makes possible investigations on the behaviour of these merozoites and the schizogonic rhythm of each species. Merozoites of Plasmodium y. yoelii remain in the blood during the 24 hrs. following inoculation; it is concluded that their penetration in the erythrocytes occurs gradually during this time. Synchronism is poor. Merozoites of P. vinckei petteri penetrate rapidly inside the erythrocytes independently of the time of inoculation. Infection is therefore synchronous and does not follow the circadian rhythm of the host. Penetration of merozoites of P. c. chabaudi is predominant at midnight when rodents are maintained with a normal circadian rhythm (light from 8 am to 8 pm) and predominant at noon when the rhythm of the host is inverted (light from 8 pm to 8 am). Infection is therefore synchronous and follows the host rhythm. The three species of plasmodia coexisting in Thamnomys rutilans from CAR show the same periodicity of 24 hrs. but, because of differences in the biology of the merozoites, they occupy three distinct niches. These notions have great practical implications in chronotherapy, as many data lead to the idea that merozoites are drug resistant.
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PMID:[Timing niches of 3 species of Plasmodium coexisting in a rodent in Central Africa]. 210 60

In spite of Vietnam's 40-year history of war, infant mortality rate of 50-60/1000 live births in urban areas, life expectancy of 55 years for women and 61 years for men, growth rate of 21.5/1000 population and population totaling 61-66 million in 1986, the health status of the Vietnamese, is better than the mean for all African countries and no worse than developing countries with a GNP per head greater than Vietnam's US 210. The incidence of infectious disease remains high for both adults and children, with malaria leading for adults and diarrheal disease for children as well as malnutrition due to dietary insufficiency. Air pollution, poor sanitation, and chemical pollution of water supplies pose a serious threat to health in Saigon, as do dioxin-related diseases in the surrounding countryside. A decentralized government hospital service with health centers in all communities provides 1 doctor for every 18,000 population. This system is criticized for lack of attention to socioeconomic conditions or diet. The health care strategy developed in 1986 targets the following goals for 1990: adequate nutrition, drinking water, essential drugs, and sanitation as well as more extensive immunization, family planning services, and home treatment of illness. Along with the 3000 community health centers, community health workers provide basic treatment and health education from their homes. Although the health system is paternalistic, vital provisions of salts and sugars for combating diarrhea, and A and D supplements and food are given to the poor. Dr. Duong Quynh Hoa's pediatric research institute, children's hospital, and new medical school are principally concerned with the development of socioeconomic conditions where the doctor is only 1 among many collaborating to improve the quality of life. One pediatric center project, for example, has been successful in promoting the active participation of people in an environmental hygiene program, a clean drinking water program, immunization efforts, and a diarrhea control program funded through UNICEF, WHO, and French and British charities. Investment is being sought from developed countries for economic development and food aid.
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PMID:Establishment of primary health care in Vietnam. 212 Nov 82

Epstein-Barr virus and HTLV-1 are both lymphotropic viruses, capable of immortalizing lymphocytes in vitro (Fig. 1). Both viruses have been sequenced and subjected to intense molecular biologic scrutiny, and in both cases genes believed to be important in lymphocyte immortalization have been identified. These viral genes are not homologues of cellular oncogenes, nor is there any evidence to suggest insertional mutagenesis. Rather, these genes alter the expression of a variety of cellular genes and, in so doing, alter the growth characteristics of the host cell. Infection with either virus is most likely to be asymptomatic, associated with a benign self-limited lymphoproliferation, or both, but in a small fraction of instances these benign lymphoproliferations give rise to a lymphoma or leukemia. In the case of the Epstein-Barr virus, a variety of cofactors have been identified that are important to the evolution of malignancy. These cofactors include immunosuppression in transplant recipients, cogenital immunodeficiency in the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, human immunodeficiency virus infection in AIDS patients, and malaria in patients with endemic Burkitt's lymphoma. In the case of HTLV-1, cofactors have not been identified. Nonetheless, the importance of cofactors is suggested by the small fraction of the population infected by the virus who actually develop lymphoproliferative disease, and the long latency period between infection and the development of frank lymphoproliferative disease. In organ transplant recipients with lymphomas associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection, the EBV immortalizing/transforming genes are expressed in the malignant tissue. But in Burkitt's lymphoma and in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, the EBV and HTLV-1 immortalizing/transforming genes are not detectably expressed. In Burkitt's lymphoma, it is suggested that the dysregulated myc gene renders the growth effects of Epstein-Barr virus latency genes superfluous. No comparable proto-oncogene translocation or activation has yet been identified in HTLV-1 lymphoma/leukemia.
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PMID:Human lymphotropic viruses associated with lymphoid malignancy: Epstein-Barr and HTLV-1. 217 3

We have reviewed 114 episodes of malaria in 110 patients who were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit in Leicester during the 5 year period from February 1983-January 1988. There were 71 episodes of vivax malaria (62%), 33 episodes of falciparum malaria (29%), four patients with mixed infection and six patients with negative blood films who were diagnosed on clinical suspicion alone. Most patients presented in the summer months, 68% were aged under 40 years, 39% were born in the Indian subcontinent, 23% in East Africa and 23% in Britain. Eighty-two per cent of patients with falciparum malaria had recently returned from Africa whereas 82% with vivax malaria had visited Asia. Thirty six per cent had been given antimalarial chemoprophylaxis but only half of these took medication correctly. Seventy five per cent of episodes of falciparum malaria presented within 2 weeks of arrival in Britain, however vivax malaria could present at any time and 49% of cases occurred over 3 months after exposure. Presenting symptoms and signs were often non-specific. Twenty nine per cent of patients had been treated with antibiotics and 11% received antimalarials prior to admission. Vivax malaria was generally a mild infection but falciparum malaria was often severe with 39% of patients experiencing complications including one death. Although Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum are morphologically similar the diseases caused by the two species of parasite are quite distinct. Physicians must ensure that malaria is excluded in anyone who has travelled to an endemic area.
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PMID:Malaria in Leicester 1983-1988: a review of 114 cases. 218 Oct 23

Fewer than 200 confirmed cases of babesiosis have been reported in the last decade. Most cases in the United States have occurred on Cape Cod, Nantucket Island, and Long Island. Babesia microti, a malaria-like protozoan that parasitizes erythrocytes, is responsible for this illness in the United States. Infection is often subclinical but may be fulminant, especially in infants, the elderly, and in asplenic patients. Symptoms are nonspecific, usually consisting of fever and myalgias. Common laboratory abnormalities include evidence of hemolysis and thrombocytopenia. We report a case of babesiosis in an elderly male manifested by high fevers, confusion, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
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PMID:Babesiosis in a Connecticut resident. 222 9


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