Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Elevated von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels have been reported in malaria, but their relationship with disease severity remains unclear. This study aimed to compare vWF levels between <i>Plasmodium</i>-infected and uninfected individuals and...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Suriyan Sukati Rujikorn Rattanatham Frederick Ramirez Masangkay Ching-Ping Tseng Manas Kotepui |
| author_facet | Suriyan Sukati Rujikorn Rattanatham Frederick Ramirez Masangkay Ching-Ping Tseng Manas Kotepui |
| author_sort | Suriyan Sukati |
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| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Elevated von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels have been reported in malaria, but their relationship with disease severity remains unclear. This study aimed to compare vWF levels between <i>Plasmodium</i>-infected and uninfected individuals and assess changes in severe infections. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024558479). A comprehensive search across six databases identified studies reporting vWF levels in malaria. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, with standardized mean difference (SMD) as the effect measure due to varying measurement units. Heterogeneity was assessed using the <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> statistic. <i>Results</i>: Of 1647 identified records, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed significantly higher vWF levels in <i>Plasmodium</i>-infected individuals compared to uninfected controls (<i>p</i> < 0.001, SMD: 2.689 [95% CI 1.362; 4.017], <i>I</i><sup>2</sup>: 98.1%, 12 studies, 3109 participants). However, no significant difference was found between severe and less severe cases (<i>p</i> = 0.051, SMD: 3.551 [95% CI −0.007; 7.109], <i>I</i><sup>2</sup>: 99.3%, 8 studies, 1453 participants). <i>Conclusions</i>: vWF levels are significantly elevated in individuals with <i>Plasmodium</i> infections, indicating a potential role in malaria pathophysiology. Although levels tend to be higher in severe cases, current evidence is insufficient to support vWF as a reliable marker for disease severity. Further prospective and well-controlled studies are needed to validate its diagnostic and prognostic value in malaria management. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-6579a326ffcc419185a9ddd7a2468b092025-08-20T02:18:04ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-04-0161476710.3390/medicina61040767Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease SeveritySuriyan Sukati0Rujikorn Rattanatham1Frederick Ramirez Masangkay2Ching-Ping Tseng3Manas Kotepui4Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, ThailandMedical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom 48000, ThailandDepartment of Medical Technology, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1008, PhilippinesDepartment of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanMedical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom 48000, Thailand<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Elevated von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels have been reported in malaria, but their relationship with disease severity remains unclear. This study aimed to compare vWF levels between <i>Plasmodium</i>-infected and uninfected individuals and assess changes in severe infections. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024558479). A comprehensive search across six databases identified studies reporting vWF levels in malaria. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, with standardized mean difference (SMD) as the effect measure due to varying measurement units. Heterogeneity was assessed using the <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> statistic. <i>Results</i>: Of 1647 identified records, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed significantly higher vWF levels in <i>Plasmodium</i>-infected individuals compared to uninfected controls (<i>p</i> < 0.001, SMD: 2.689 [95% CI 1.362; 4.017], <i>I</i><sup>2</sup>: 98.1%, 12 studies, 3109 participants). However, no significant difference was found between severe and less severe cases (<i>p</i> = 0.051, SMD: 3.551 [95% CI −0.007; 7.109], <i>I</i><sup>2</sup>: 99.3%, 8 studies, 1453 participants). <i>Conclusions</i>: vWF levels are significantly elevated in individuals with <i>Plasmodium</i> infections, indicating a potential role in malaria pathophysiology. Although levels tend to be higher in severe cases, current evidence is insufficient to support vWF as a reliable marker for disease severity. Further prospective and well-controlled studies are needed to validate its diagnostic and prognostic value in malaria management.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/4/767malaria<i>Plasmodium</i>von Willebrand factorvWFmeta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Suriyan Sukati Rujikorn Rattanatham Frederick Ramirez Masangkay Ching-Ping Tseng Manas Kotepui Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity Medicina malaria <i>Plasmodium</i> von Willebrand factor vWF meta-analysis |
| title | Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity |
| title_full | Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity |
| title_fullStr | Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity |
| title_short | Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity |
| title_sort | alterations in von willebrand factor levels in patients with malaria a systematic review and meta analysis of disease severity |
| topic | malaria <i>Plasmodium</i> von Willebrand factor vWF meta-analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/4/767 |
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