The Sick Placenta—The Role of Malaria

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 359 - 378
• Main Authors: Brabin, B.J., Romagosa, C., Abdelgalil, S., Menéndez, C., Verhoeff, F.H., McGready, R., Fletcher, K.A., Owens, S., d'Alessandro, U., Nosten, F., Fischer, P.R., Ordi, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cytokines - immunology; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation - etiology; Fetal Growth Retardation - parasitology; Fetal Weight; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Immunity, Cellular - immunology; Immunity, Maternally-Acquired - immunology; Immunohistochemistry; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infectious diseases; Malaria; Malaria - immunology; Malaria - pathology; Malaria, Falciparum - immunology; Malaria, Falciparum - pathology; Malaria, Vivax - immunology; Malaria, Vivax - pathology; Medical sciences; Parasitic diseases; Placenta - immunology; Placenta - pathology; Placenta - physiopathology; Placenta Diseases - immunology; Placenta Diseases - pathology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Premature Birth - epidemiology; Premature Birth - etiology; Premature Birth - parasitology; Protozoal diseases; Infection; Human; Protozoal disease; Placenta; Malaria; Fetal membrane; Pathogenesis; Female; Parasitosis; Review; Placenta diseases; Epidemiology

The human placenta is an ideal site for the accumulation of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites, and as a consequence serious health problems arise for the mother and her baby. The pathogenesis of placental malaria is only partially understood, but it is clear that it leads to a distinct epidemi...