Malaria, Schistosomiasis, and Related Anemia

Abstract

Parasitic infections e.g., malaria and helminthiases have a huge impact on public health in endemic areas. Moreover, parasitic infestations are prominent causes of anemia in the tropics and subtropics, further perpetuated by malnutrition, inflammatory, and genetic diseases. "nemia-associating parasitic infections vary depending on the requirements and pathophysiology of the parasites. There is an interplay between different factors that can be segregated as host and parasite factors, resulting in severe anemia accompanying these parasitic infestations. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to anemia associated with the different parasites vary greatly, including hemolysis, anemia of inflammation, bone marrow suppression, and micronutrients deficiency. The major means to deal with this anemia include prevention and treatment of such infestations.

Prevalence of schistosomiasis and its association with anemia among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In a systematic review and meta-analysis, Kassebaum et al reported that malaria and schistosomiasis were the main conditions that increased the prevalence of anemia [ 53 ]. Although the exact pathophysiological mechanism of anemia and its associations with schistosomiasis have yet to be fully explained, hemolysis, inflammatory processes, and bone marrow suppression are plausible explanations for anemia and schistosomiasis [ 52 ]. Interestingly, few studies (six) assessed the association between schistosomiasis during pregnancy and anemia, and there was no available meta-analysis of this topic.…”

Anemia, Iron Supplementation and Susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

“…Malaria causes anemia primarily through haemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells (RBCs), although other factors can be involved, such as long term subclinical malaria infection inducing anemia of inflammation. (Gasim and Adam, 2016). In truth, the relationship between the host iron status and malaria susceptibility is quite complicated.…”

Efficacy and Safety of New Orodispersible Tablet Formulations of Praziquantel (Racemate and L-Praziquantel) in Schistosoma mansoni-Infected Preschool-Age Children and Infants: A Randomized Dose-Finding Phase 2 Study

“…TEAEs were mostly mild and transient, and no TEAEs led to death, discontinuations or withdrawal, indicating that the treatment had an acceptable tolerability profile. The high incidence of anemia recorded in the study has previously been noted in association with malaria and schistosomiasis in Africa and may be common in individuals suffering from S. mansoni infection (17,19). TEAEs related to abnormal laboratory findings, such as anemia, were detected on samples taken before the administration of study treatment, albeit on the same day, and may therefore reflect the baseline underlying disease status of participants.…”