[Ocular Changes As A diagnostic Tool for Malaria]

Overview

Journal Ophthalmologie

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2021 Dec 23

PMID 34940911

Citations 1

Authors

Hanna Faber

Philipp Berens

Jens Martin Rohrbach

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: According to the WHO Malaria Report 2019 a total of 229 million people fall ill with malaria each year and two thirds of deaths involve children under 5 years of age.

Aim: To review the fundus changes in the context of malaria and the importance of ophthalmoscopy in the diagnosis.

Material And Methods: Summary of changes in cerebral malaria visible on fundus examination, possible underlying pathomechanisms and the value of ophthalmoscopy in practice.

Results: Retinal findings in malaria include white or gray staining of the retina (retinal whitening), color change of retinal vessels (orange or white staining), hemorrhages often with a white center, such as Roth's spot and papilledema.

Discussion: The retinal changes in malaria are specific and may help to differentiate malaria from other causes of coma and fever. Smartphone-based fundus photography and artificial intelligence could support malaria diagnostics particularly in resource-poor regions.

Citing Articles

Case Report: Severe Optic Neuritis after Multiple Episodes of Malaria in a Traveler to Africa.

Sun C, Ma Z, Liu Z Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023; 108(5):868-870.

PMID: 36972695 PMC: 10160899. DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0797.

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