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Identifying the components of acidosis in patients with severe plasmodium falciparum malaria Using metabolomics

Abstract:

Background

Acidosis in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria is associated with high mortality yet the pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to determine the nature and source of metabolic acids contributing to acidosis in patients with severe falciparum malaria.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted to characterise circulating acids in adults with P. falciparum malaria (n=107) and healthy controls (n=45) from Bangladesh using high-resolution LC-MS metabolomics. Additional in vitro P. falciparum culture studies were performed to determine if parasites release the acids detected in plasma from patients with severe malaria acidosis.

Results

We identified previously unmeasured plasma acids strongly associated with acidosis in severe malaria. Metabolomic analysis of P. falciparum parasites in vitro showed no evidence that these acids are released by the parasite during its life-cycle. Instead ten of the plasma acids could be mapped to a gut microbial origin. Patients with malaria had low L-citrulline levels, a plasma marker indicating reduced gut barrier integrity. Longitudinal data showed the clearance of these newly identified acids was delayed in fatal cases.

Discussion

These data suggest that a compromise in intestinal barrier function may contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of life-threatening acidosis in severe falciparum malaria.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1093/infdis/jiy727

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
Tropical Medicine
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Journal:
Journal of Infectious Diseases More from this journal
Volume:
219
Issue:
11
Pages:
1766-1776
Publication date:
2018-12-19
Acceptance date:
2018-10-25
DOI:
EISSN:
1537-6613
ISSN:
1537-6613
Pmid:
30566600


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:954679
UUID:
uuid:d695b5f6-50f4-40fc-8e83-29e86dbf2be6
Local pid:
pubs:954679
Source identifiers:
954679
Deposit date:
2019-01-01

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