This observational research study aims to answer the question: 'Which aspects of human biology play an important role in recovery from symptomatic malaria?' In particular, the researchers aim to identify human genes for which the level of gene activity reflects the patient's overall rate of recovery. The researchers believe this approach may reveal new targets for adjunctive therapies. The researchers aim to recruit 240 people, of all ages, who have been diagnosed with symptomatic malaria at selected hospitals in London. Blood samples, urine samples, and clinical information will be collected over the 14 days following malaria diagnosis.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
240
This observational study will be recruiting patients who have symptomatic malaria (confirmed by presence of asexual stage parasitaemia of any Plasmodium species on blood film)
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
London, United Kingdom
Genes for which expression (level of gene activity) correlates with a 'composite recovery score'
The 'composite recovery score' will be calculated by principal component analysis of rates of recovery for individual markers of tissue, organ, or organ system dysfunction, and extraction of the value of the first principal component for each participant. Genes for which expression correlates with the 'composite recovery score' will be identified by whole blood transcriptome analysis.
Time frame: Each study participant will be assessed over the 14 days following malaria diagnosis
Genes for which expression (level of gene activity) correlates with rate of recovery for individual markers of tissue, organ, or organ system dysfunction
Genes for which expression correlates with the individual markers of tissue, organ, or organ system dysfunction will be identified by whole blood transcriptome analysis.
Time frame: Each study participant will be assessed over the 14 days following malaria diagnosis
Rate of recovery for individual markers of tissue, organ, or organ system dysfunction
Rates of recovery will be calculated for individual markers of tissue, organ, or organ system dysfunction
Time frame: Each study participant will be assessed over the 14 days following malaria diagnosis
Sequences of clinical events predictive of recovery, as determined by Bayesian inference of dynamic pathways using the HyperTraPS statistical platform
Hypercubic transition path sampling (HyperTraPS) will be used to characterise patterns of recovery and identify predictors of fast vs slow recovery
Time frame: Each study participant will be assessed over the 14 days following malaria diagnosis
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