Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic review
Abstract Background Cerebral malaria (CM) continues to present a major health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. CM is associated with a characteristic malarial retinopathy (MR) with diagnostic and prognostic significance. Advances in retinal imaging have allowed researchers to better ch...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04566-7 |
| _version_ | 1797836605358080000 |
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| author | Kyle J. Wilson Amit Dhalla Yanda Meng Zhanhan Tu Yalin Zheng Priscilla Mhango Karl B. Seydel Nicholas A. V. Beare |
| author_facet | Kyle J. Wilson Amit Dhalla Yanda Meng Zhanhan Tu Yalin Zheng Priscilla Mhango Karl B. Seydel Nicholas A. V. Beare |
| author_sort | Kyle J. Wilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Cerebral malaria (CM) continues to present a major health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. CM is associated with a characteristic malarial retinopathy (MR) with diagnostic and prognostic significance. Advances in retinal imaging have allowed researchers to better characterize the changes seen in MR and to make inferences about the pathophysiology of the disease. The study aimed to explore the role of retinal imaging in diagnosis and prognostication in CM; establish insights into pathophysiology of CM from retinal imaging; establish future research directions. Methods The literature was systematically reviewed using the African Index Medicus, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 35 full texts were included in the final analysis. The descriptive nature of the included studies and heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Results Available research clearly shows retinal imaging is useful both as a clinical tool for the assessment of CM and as a scientific instrument to aid the understanding of the condition. Modalities which can be performed at the bedside, such as fundus photography and optical coherence tomography, are best positioned to take advantage of artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis, unlocking the clinical potential of retinal imaging for real-time diagnosis in low-resource environments where extensively trained clinicians may be few in number, and for guiding adjunctive therapies as they develop. Conclusions Further research into retinal imaging technologies in CM is justified. In particular, co-ordinated interdisciplinary work shows promise in unpicking the pathophysiology of a complex disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:11:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3e1c51cd8f024735b9e39ded5d91cff5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:11:37Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-3e1c51cd8f024735b9e39ded5d91cff52023-04-30T11:08:04ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752023-04-0122111610.1186/s12936-023-04566-7Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic reviewKyle J. Wilson0Amit Dhalla1Yanda Meng2Zhanhan Tu3Yalin Zheng4Priscilla Mhango5Karl B. Seydel6Nicholas A. V. Beare7Department of Eye & Vision Sciences, University of LiverpoolDepartment of Ophthalmology, Sheffield Teaching HospitalsDepartment of Eye & Vision Sciences, University of LiverpoolSchool of Psychology and Vision Sciences, College of Life Science, The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal InfirmaryDepartment of Eye & Vision Sciences, University of LiverpoolDepartment of Ophthalmology, Kamuzu University of Health SciencesCollege of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State UniversityDepartment of Eye & Vision Sciences, University of LiverpoolAbstract Background Cerebral malaria (CM) continues to present a major health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. CM is associated with a characteristic malarial retinopathy (MR) with diagnostic and prognostic significance. Advances in retinal imaging have allowed researchers to better characterize the changes seen in MR and to make inferences about the pathophysiology of the disease. The study aimed to explore the role of retinal imaging in diagnosis and prognostication in CM; establish insights into pathophysiology of CM from retinal imaging; establish future research directions. Methods The literature was systematically reviewed using the African Index Medicus, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 35 full texts were included in the final analysis. The descriptive nature of the included studies and heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Results Available research clearly shows retinal imaging is useful both as a clinical tool for the assessment of CM and as a scientific instrument to aid the understanding of the condition. Modalities which can be performed at the bedside, such as fundus photography and optical coherence tomography, are best positioned to take advantage of artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis, unlocking the clinical potential of retinal imaging for real-time diagnosis in low-resource environments where extensively trained clinicians may be few in number, and for guiding adjunctive therapies as they develop. Conclusions Further research into retinal imaging technologies in CM is justified. In particular, co-ordinated interdisciplinary work shows promise in unpicking the pathophysiology of a complex disease.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04566-7Cerebral malariaMalarial retinopathyFundus photographyFluorescein angiographyOptical coherence tomography |
| spellingShingle | Kyle J. Wilson Amit Dhalla Yanda Meng Zhanhan Tu Yalin Zheng Priscilla Mhango Karl B. Seydel Nicholas A. V. Beare Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic review Malaria Journal Cerebral malaria Malarial retinopathy Fundus photography Fluorescein angiography Optical coherence tomography |
| title | Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic review |
| title_full | Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic review |
| title_short | Retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria: a systematic review |
| title_sort | retinal imaging technologies in cerebral malaria a systematic review |
| topic | Cerebral malaria Malarial retinopathy Fundus photography Fluorescein angiography Optical coherence tomography |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04566-7 |
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