Publication: Curdlan sulphate in human severe/cerebral Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Issued Date
2005-05-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00359203
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-14944369440
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.99, No.5 (2005), 333-340
Suggested Citation
I. Havlik, S. Looareesuwan, S. Vannaphan, P. Wilairatana, S. Krudsood, P. E. Thuma, D. Kozbor, N. Watanabe, Y. Kaneko Curdlan sulphate in human severe/cerebral Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.99, No.5 (2005), 333-340. doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2004.05.005 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/16593
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Title
Curdlan sulphate in human severe/cerebral Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Abstract
Preclinical studies have shown that curdlan sulphate (CRDS), a sulphated 1 → 3-β-D glucan, inhibits Plasmodium falciparum in vitro and down-modulates the immune response. A direct, non-specific effect on cytoadherence and rosetting may be predicted, as has been described with other sulphated polysaccharides, e.g. heparin. The anticoagulant effect of CRDS is 10-fold lower than heparin. Curdlan sulphate has, therefore, emerged as a candidate for adjunct medication in the treatment of severe/ cerebral malaria. Two clinical studies were conducted using CRDS as adjunct medication to conventional therapy (artesunate) in patients with severe and severe/cerebral malaria. Both studies were double-blind and placebo-controlled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination. Curdlan sulphate appeared to reduce the severity of the disease process, e.g. fever clearance time was shortened. Due to the small number of patients, there was no difference in mortality. The two treatment arms in both studies showed similar results for all laboratory parameters. The only adverse event recorded during CRDS treatment was an increase in activated partial thromboplastin time. This can be monitored easily. It seems that the patients who may benefit most are severe/ cerebral cases with no organ damage on admission. © 2004 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.