Post-malaria neurological syndrome: Imported case series and literature review to unscramble the auto-immune hypothesis

Travel Med Infect Dis. 2019 May-Jun:29:16-20. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.09.003. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Abstract

Post-malaria neurological syndrome (PMNS) is a complication that occurs after recovery from a severe Plasmodium falciparum attack. Over the past two decades, the description of several imported cases has confirmed that this syndrome is a clearly distinct entity, different from other post malarial neurological disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet elucidated. Herein, we present five imported PMNS cases managed in Marseille, France. The detection of neuronal surface antibodies to an encephalitic syndrome of unknown origin allowed us to reveal positivity of anti Voltage-Gated-Potassium Channel antibodies (anti VGKC) in one of them. Using treatment options from other autoimmune encephalitis has to be explored in patients with PMNS.

Keywords: Anti VGKC antibody; Autoimmune encephalitis; Malaria; Plasmodium falciparum; Post-malaria neurological syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Cerebral / complications
  • Malaria, Falciparum / complications*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Nervous System Diseases / parasitology
  • Neurons / immunology
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / immunology
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated