Erythropoietin – A Possible Adjunctive Therapy for Cerebral Malaria

Cerebral malaria a severe complication of an infection caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. It is an acute encephalopathy and currently the adjunctive therapy supporting the anti-malarial treatment consists of glucose and oxygen supplementation. Wishing to improve the adjunctive therapy, we have studied the use of erythropoietin (EPO) and its possible neuroprotective effects in a murine model of cerebral malaria. EPO reduces the mortality and neuropathology in this model and is well tolerated. Our research is discussed in relation to the current literature and the potential as using EPO as adjunct therapy in humans is discussed.

Keywords: Cerebral malaria, Plasmodium, murine models, erythropoietin, adjunctive therapy, inflammation, hypoxia, neuropathology, neuroregeneration.