Malaria in the Brain

QUESTION

I would like to know how dangerous is malaria in the brain?

ANSWER

Only a certain kind of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is usually associated with causing problems in the brain. The P. falciparum parasite infects red blood cells and changes their surface structure, causing them to become “sticky”. These sticky red blood cells become lodged in the small blood vessels that flow through organs, causing blockages and reducing oxygen flow.

When this process occurs in the brain, the result is called “cerebral malaria”, and can result in impaired consciousness, coma and even death. As such, once malaria-infected blood passes into the brain, it can be very dangerous. Luckily, however, if people are diagnosed promptly and given treatment, it is usually possible to stop the progression of P. falciparum malaria before it enters the brain, allowing for a swift and uncomplicated recovery.