Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lung Involvement in Malaria

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Malaria

Synonyms

Malaria pneumonia; Malaria acute lung injury; Malaria acute respiratory distress syndrome; Malaria pulmonary oedema

Definition

Lung involvement in malaria infection encompasses a range of clinical manifestations including minor symptoms such as cough, concomittant pneumonia, and complications of severe disease including pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Introduction

The lung has attracted less attention than other organs in the pathogenesis of malaria, due to the lower frequency of severe pulmonary manifestations as compared to other severe complications such as coma, anemia, renal failure, and acidosis. Observations into the involvement of the lung in the pathogenesis of severe malaria have broadly addressed two areas: the relationship between malaria and pneumonia and pulmonary edema or acute respiratory distress syndrome occurring as direct complications of severe malaria. Work on the relationship between malaria and pneumonia commenced...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agarwal R, Nath A, Gupta D. Noninvasive ventilation in Plasmodium vivax related ALI/ARDS. Intern Med. 2007;46(24):2007–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alves C, Chen JT, Patel N, Abrams D, Figueiredo P, Santos L, Sarmento A, Paiva J, Bacchetta M, Wilgus ML, Roncon-Albuquerque R, Brodie D. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome in severe malaria. Malar J. 2013;12(1):306.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ampawong S, Combes V, Hunt NH, Radford J, Chan-Ling T, Pongponratn E, Grau GE. Quantitation of brain edema and localisation of aquaporin 4 expression in relation to susceptibility to experimental cerebral malaria. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2011;4(6):566–74.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anstey NM, Jacups SP, Cain T, Pearson T, Ziesing PJ, Fisher DA, Currie BJ, Marks PJ, Maguire GP. Pulmonary manifestations of uncomplicated falciparum and vivax malaria: cough, small airways obstruction, impaired gas transfer, and increased pulmonary phagocytic activity. J Infect Dis. 2002;185(9):1326–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anstey NM, Handojo T, Pain MC, Kenangalem E, Tjitra E, Price RN, Maguire GP. Lung injury in vivax malaria: pathophysiological evidence for pulmonary vascular sequestration and posttreatment alveolar-capillary inflammation. J Infect Dis. 2007;195(4):589–96.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anstey NM, Douglas NM, Poespoprodjo JR, Price RN. Plasmodium vivax: clinical spectrum, risk factors and pathogenesis. Adv Parasitol. 2012;80:151–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Applebaum IL, Shrager J. Pneumonitis associated with malaria. Arch Intern Med. 1944;74(3):155–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aursudkij B, Wilairatana P, Vannaphan S, Walsh DS, Gordeux VR, Looareesuwan S. Pulmonary edema in cerebral malaria patients in Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 1998;29(3):541–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bergin JJ. Malaria and the lung. Mil Med. 1967;132(7):522–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks MH, Kiel FW, Sheehy MC. Acute pulmonary edema in falciparum malaria. N Engl J Med. 1968;279(14):732–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byass P, Campbell H, O'Dempsey TJ, Greenwood BM. Coincidence of malaria parasitaemia and abnormal chest X-ray findings in young Gambian children. J Trop Med Hyg. 1991;94(1):22–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho BO, Lopes SC, Nogueira PA, Orlandi PP, Bargieri DY, Blanco YC, Mamoni R, Leite JA, Rodrigues MM, Soares IS, Oliveira TR, Wunderlich G, Lacerda MV, del Portillo HA, Araújo MO, Russell B, Suwanarusk R, Snounou G, Rénia L, Costa FT. On the cytoadhesion of Plasmodium vivax-infected erythrocytes. J Infect Dis. 2010;202(4):638–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charoenpan P, et al. Pulmonary oedema in severe falciparum malaria. Chest. 1990;97(5):1190–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christen D, Steffen R, Schlagenhauf P. Deaths caused by malaria in Switzerland 1988–2002. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006;75(6):1188–94.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clark HC, Tomlinson WJ. The pathologic anatomy of malaria. In: Boyd M, editor. Malariology. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1949, p 874.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbett CE, Duarte MI, Lancellotti CL, Silva MA, Andrade Júnior HF. Cytoadherence in human falciparum malaria as a cause of respiratory distress. J Trop Med Hyg. 1989;92:112–20.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cox-Singh J, Hiu J, Lucas SB, Divis PC, Zulkarnaen M, Chandran P, Wong KT, Adem P, Zaki SR, Singh B, Krishna S. Severe malaria - a case of fatal Plasmodium knowlesi infection with post-mortem findings: a case report. Malar J. 2010;9:10.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Curlin ME, Barat LM, Walsh DK, Granger DL. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema during vivax malaria. Clin Infect Dis. 1999;28(5):1166–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Daneshvar C, Davis TM, Cox-Singh J, Rafa'ee MZ, Zakaria SK, Divis PC, Singh B. Clinical and laboratory features of human Plasmodium knowlesi infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;49(6):852–60.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Las Salas B, Segura C, Pabón A, Lopes SC, Costa FT, Blair S. Adherence to human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Colombia. Malar J. 2013;12(1):347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deaderick WH. A practical study of malaria. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deaton JG. Fatal pulmonary edema as a complication of acute falciparum malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1970;19(2):196–201.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deroost K, Tybergein A, Lays N, Noppen S, Schwarzer E, Vanstreels E, Komuta M, Prato M, Lin JW, Pamplona A, Janse CJ, Arese P, Roskams T, Daelemans D, Opdenakker G, Van den Steen PE. Hemozoin induces lung inflammation and correlates with malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2013;48(5):589–600.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte MI, Corbett CE, Boulos M, Amato Neto V. Ultrastructure of the lung in falciparum malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1985;34(1):31–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dudgeon LS, Clarke C. An investigation on fatal cases of pernicious malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum. QJM. 1919;48:372–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Everts RJ, Hayhurst MD, Nona BP. Acute pulmonary edema caused by quinine. Pharmacotherapy. 2004;24(9):1221–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falcolner AW. Studies on malignant malaria in Macedonia. QJM. 1919;49:25–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fein IA, Rackow EC, Shapiro L. Acute pulmonary edema in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1978;118(2):425–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman RM, Singer C. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and pulmonary fibrosis in falciparum malaria. Rev Infect Dis. 1987;9(1):134–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming J, Lindeck EW, Evans IH. “Primary Atypical Pneumonia”. An epidemic associated with malaria. BMJ. 1945;1(4402):689–93.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher JR, Butler T, Kopriva CJ, Ratliff JL. Acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Vital capacity, blood gases, and coagulation. Arch Intern Med. 1972;129(4):617–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gachot B, Wolff M, Nissack G, Veber B, Vachon F. Acute lung injury complicating imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Chest. 1995;108(3):746–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Godard E, Hansen RA. Interstitial pulmonary oedema in acute malaria. Radiology. 1971;101:523–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodall HB. Proceedings: Giant nuclear masses in the lungs and blood in malignant malaria. J Clin Pathol. 1973;26(12):982.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gozal D. The incidence of pulmonary manifestations during Plasmodium falciparum malaria in non immune subjects. Trop Med Parasitol. 1992;43(1):6–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson JP, Lam SW, Mohanty S, Alam S, Pattnaik R, Mahanta KC, Hasan MU, Charunwatthana P, Mishra SK, Day NP, White NJ, Dondorp AM. Fluid resuscitation of adults with severe falciparum malaria: effects on acid–base status, renal function, and extravascular lung water. Crit Care Med. 2013;41(4):972–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heilig R. Presumptive malarial pneumonia. Ind Med Gaz. 1948;83:116–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam N, Qamruddin K. Unusual complications in benign tertian malaria. Trop Geogr Med. 1995;47(3):141–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • James MF. Pulmonary damage associated with falciparum malaria: a report of ten cases. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 1985;79(2):123–38.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kean BH, Smith JA. Death due to estivo-autumnal malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1944;s1-24:317–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kochar DK, Das A, Kochar SK, Saxena V, Sirohi P, Garg S, Kochar A, Khatri MP, Gupta V. Severe Plasmodium vivax malaria: a report on serial cases from Bikaner in northwestern India. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009;80(2):194–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krantz MJ, Dart RC, Mehler PS. Transient pulmonary infiltrates possibly induced by quinine sulfate. Pharmacotherapy. 2002;22(6):775–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lacerda MV, Fragoso SC, Alecrim MG, Alexandre MA, Magalhães BM, Siqueira AM, Ferreira LC, Araújo JR, Mourão MP, Ferrer M, Castillo P, Martin-Jaular L, Fernandez-Becerra C, del Portillo H, Ordi J, Alonso PL, Bassat Q. Postmortem characterization of patients with clinical diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax malaria: to what extent does this parasite kill? Clin Infect Dis. 2012;55(8):e67–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lacerda-Queiroz N, Rachid MA, Teixeira MM, Teixeira AL. The role of platelet-activating receptor (PARF) in lung pathology during experimental malaria. Int J Parasitol. 2013;43(1):11–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lau YL, Lee WC, Tan LH, Kamarulzaman A, Syed Omar SF, Fong MY, Cheong FW, Mahmud R. Acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure from Plasmodium ovale infection with fatal outcome. Malar J. 2013;12(1):389.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leclerc Y, Verreault J, Bisson G. Diffuse lung uptake of technetium-99m sulfur colloid in malaria. J Nucl Med. 1989;30(1):117–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee EY, Maguire JH. Acute pulmonary edema complicating ovale malaria. Clin Infect Dis. 1999;29(3):697–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovegrove FE, Gharib SA, Pena-Castillo L, Patel SN, Ruziski JT, Liles WC, Kain KC. Parasite burden and CD-36 mediated sequestration are determinants of acute lung injury in an experimental malaria model. PLoS Pathog. 2008;4(5), e1000068.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacPherson GG, Warrell MJ, White NJ, Looareesuwan S, Warrell DA. Human cerebral malaria. A quantitative ultrastructural analysis of parasitized erythrocyte sequestration. Am J Pathol. 1985;119(3):385–401.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maguire GP, Handojo T, Pain MC, Kenangalem E, Price RN, Tjitra E, Anstey NM. Lung injury in uncomplicated and severe falciparum malaria: a longitudinal study in Papua, Indonesia. J Infect Dis. 2005;192(11):1966–74.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marchiafava E, Bignami A. On summer-autumn malarial fevers. In: Marchiafava E, editor. Two monographs on malaria and the parasites of malarial fevers (translated by JH Thompson). London: New Sydenham Society; 1894. pp. 1–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medana IM, Turner GDH. Human cerebral malaria and the blood–brain barrier. Int J Parasitol. 2006;36(5):555–68.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Medana AM, Day NP, Sachanonta N, Mai NT, Dondorp AM, Pongponratn E, Hien TT, White NJ, Turner GD. Coma in fatal adult human malaria is not caused by cerebral oedema. Malar J. 2011;1:267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta SR, Naidu G, Chandar V, Singh IP, Johri S, Ahuja RC. Falciparum malaria--present day problems. An experience with 425 cases. J Assoc Physicians India. 1989;37(4):264–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Milner Jr D, Factor R, Whitten R, Carr RA, Kamiza S, Pinkus G, Molyneux M, Taylor T. Pulmonary pathology in pediatric cerebral malaria. Hum Pathol. 2013;44(12):2719–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen HP, Hanson J, Bethell D, Nguyen TH, Tran TH, Ly VC, Pham PL, Dinh XS, Dondorp A, White N, Tran TH, Day N. A retrospective analysis of the haemodynamic and metabolic effects of fluid resuscitation in Vietnamese adults with severe falciparum malaria. PLoS One. 2011;6(10), e25523.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pongponratn E, Riganti M, Punpoowong B, Aikawa M. Microvascular sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes in human falciparum malaria: a pathological study. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1991;44(2):168–75.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Punyagupta S. Acute pulmonary insufficiency in falciparum malaria: summary of 12 cases with evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1974;23(4):551–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman M, Hashmey R, Abuhasna S. Quinine-induced bronchiolitis obliterans and organizing pneumonia. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2012;28(4):505–7.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rojo-Marcos G, Cuadros-González J, Mesa-Latorre JM, Culebras-López AM, de Pablo-Sánchez R. Acute respiratory distress syndrome in a case of Plasmodium ovale malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008;79(3):391–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sheehy TW, Reba RC. Complications of falciparum malaria and their treatment. Ann Intern Med. 1967;66(4):807–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spitz S. The pathology of acute falciparum malaria. Mil Surg. 1946;99(5):555–72.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SPRAGUE HB. The effects of malaria on the heart. Am Heart J. 1946;31:426–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Svanbom M, Rombo L, Gustafsson L. Unusual pulmonary reaction during short term prophylaxis with pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar). Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1984;288(6434):1876

    Google Scholar 

  • Taliaferro WH, Mulligan HW. The histopathology of malaria with special reference to the function and origins of the macrophages in defence. Indian medical research memoirs, supplementary series to the Indian. J Med Res. 1933;29:1–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan LK, Yacoub S, Scott S, Bhagani S, Jacobs M. Acute lung injury and other serious complications of Plasmodium vivax malaria. Lancet Infect Dis. 2008;8(7):449–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor WR, Hanson J, Turner GD, White NJ, Dondorp AM. Respiratory manifestations of malaria. Chest. 2012;142(2):492–505.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thayer WS. Lectures on the malarial fevers. 1897. D Appleton and Co., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong MJ, Ballantine TV, Youel DB. Pulmonary function studies in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1972;106(1):23–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Torres JR, Perez H, Postigo MM, Silva JR. Acute non-cardiogenic lung injury in benign tertian malaria. Lancet. 1997;350(9070):31–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tran TH, Day NP, Nguyen HP, Nguyen TH, Tran TH, Pham PL, Dinh XS, Ly VC, Ha V, Waller D, Peto TE, White NJ. A controlled trial of artemether or quinine in Vietnamese adults with severe falciparum malaria. N Engl J Med. 1996;335(2):76–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner GD, Morrison H, Jones M, Davis TM, Looareesuwan S, Buley ID, Gatter KC, Newbold CI, Pukritayakamee S, Nagachinta B, et al. An immunohistochemical study of the pathology of fatal malaria. Evidence for widespread endothelial activation and a potential role for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in cerebral sequestration. Am J Pathol. 1994;145(5):1057–69.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner GD, Ly VC, Nguyen TH, Tran TH, Nguyen HP, Bethell D, Wyllie S, Louwrier K, Fox SB, Gatter KC, Day NP, Tran TH, White NJ, Berendt AR. Systemic endothelial activation occurs in both mild and severe malaria. Correlating dermal microvascular endothelial cell phenotype and soluble cell adhesion molecules with disease severity. Am J Pathol. 1998;152(6):1477–87.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Udry E, Bailly F, Dusmet M, Schnyder P, Lemoine R, Fitting JW. Pulmonary toxicity with mefloquine. Eur Respir J. 2001;18(5):890–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Valecha N, Pinto RG, Turner GD, Kumar A, Rodrigues S, Dubhashi NG, Rodrigues E, Banaulikar SS, Singh R, Dash AP, Baird JK. Histopathology of fatal respiratory distress caused by Plasmodium vivax malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009;81(5):758–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warrell DA, Looareesuwan S, Warrell MJ, Kasemsarn P, Intaraprasert R, Bunnag D, Harinasuta T. Dexamethasone proves deleterious in cerebral malaria. A double-blind trial in 100 comatose patients. N Engl J Med. 1982;306(6):313–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wenstone R, Bell M, Mostafa SM. Fatal adult respiratory distress syndrome after quinine overdose. Lancet. 1989;1(8647):1143–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. Management of severe malaria: a practical handbook. 3rd ed. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yale SH, Adlakha A, Sebo TJ, Ryu JH. Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia caused by Plasmodium vivax malaria. Chest. 1993;104(4):1294–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ziessman HA. Lung uptake of Tc-99m-sulfur colloid in falciparum malaria: case report. J Nucl Med. 1976;17:794–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Hugh Kingston, Gareth Turner & Nick Day

  2. Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Hugh Kingston, Gareth Turner & Nick Day

Authors
  1. Hugh Kingston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gareth Turner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nick Day
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nick Day .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Heswall, United Kingdom

    Marcel Hommel

  2. Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Peter G. Kremsner

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this entry

Cite this entry

Kingston, H., Turner, G., Day, N. (2015). Lung Involvement in Malaria. In: Hommel, M., Kremsner, P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Malaria. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8757-9_124-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8757-9_124-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8757-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation