Update on malaria

Abstract

Despite recent successful efforts to reduce the global malaria burden, this disease remains a significant global health problem. Only in 2018, malaria caused 228 million clinical episodes, 2-4 million of which were severe malaria cases, and 405,000 were fatal. Most of the malaria attributable mortality occurred among children in sub-Saharan Africa. Nowadays, rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin derivatives are two of the main pillars for the management of malaria. However, considering the current situation, these strategies are not sufficient to maintain a reducing trend in malaria incidence and mortality. New insights into the pathophysiology of malaria have highlighted the importance of the host response to infection. Understanding this response would help to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Vector and parasite drug resistance are two major challenges for malaria control that require special attention. The most advanced malaria vaccine (RTS,S) is currently being piloted in 3 African countries.

Keywords: Antimalarial drugs; Antimaláricos; Diagnosis; Diagnóstico; Malaria; Vaccines; Vacunas.