Abstract
Placental malaria is the placental sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes that accumulate in the intervillous space, resulting in pathological
alterations. The intervillous space, the main compartment for exchange of nutrients
and delivery of oxygen to the fetus, is of utmost importance for fetal development.
Events leading to adverse outcomes of placental malaria can be summarized in four
steps: (1) accumulation of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes; (2) infiltration of monocytes and macrophages; (3) alteration
of the placental cytokine balance and (4) pathogenesis of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
These events are triggered by chemokines and cytokines leading to impaired materno–fetal
exchange and damage to the placenta.
This review describes the events during placental malaria infection at molecular level
and presents a simplified model describing all crucial steps leading to adverse pregnancy
outcomes based on a review of recent literature (August 2009).
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 07, 2010
Accepted:
May 24,
2010
Received in revised form:
March 12,
2010
Received:
December 17,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
