Hypertension is associated with an increased risk for severe imported falciparum malaria: a tertiary care hospital based observational study from Berlin, Germany

Due to increasing international travel and changing patterns of migration malaria is still the most important tropical disease imported to Europe [1]. The pathophysiology of this protozoal disease is complex and unique and still only incompletely understood [2, 3]. In falciparum malaria, the parasite population increases 6- to 20-fold per replication cycle [4], making it the most dangerous of the five species known to affect humans. Life-threatening complications can develop rapidly and in an unpredictable manner. These complications are included in the criteria for severe falciparum malaria defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) [5].

Numerous risk factors for both severe and fatal imported falciparum malaria have been identified in recent years [6]. Among these, older age seems to play a key role, since it has consistently been found to be associated with severe malaria in multiple studies [7‐10]. In the UK, for instance, the adjusted odds ratio of dying of malaria was 10.68 in those > 65 years old compared with the > 18–35 year old group [10], but the exact reasons for this association remain to be elucidated. Recently, a nationwide study from Sweden identified diabetes and obesity as two age-related, non-communicable conditions being risk factors for severe imported falciparum malaria [11]. The study also gave evidence that hypertension and cardiovascular diseases may lead to more severe courses. These observations are not only of relevance for industrialized nations, where growing numbers of older individuals with co-morbidities travel to countries where malaria is endemic [12]. Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are now the leading risk factors for death in many low and middle-income countries where malaria is endemic [13]. Hence, the question how non-communicable diseases in general, and hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in particular, affect the risk for severe malaria, is principally an issue of major importance.

The present study aimed to identify co-morbidities associated with severe falciparum malaria imported to Berlin, Germany, in a large adult cohort. The findings are discussed in the context of the current concepts of malaria pathophysiology and in regard to the resulting implications for supportive therapy.

Between January 2001 and December 2015 a total of 558 cases of imported falciparum malaria were hospitalized in the Charité University Hospital, Berlin. Seventeen patients presented more than once. The 22 subsequent episodes of these individuals were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 536 patients ultimately enrolled represented 6.8% of all cases notified in Germany during the study period. Of these, 168 (31.3%) were female and 368 (68.7%) male. Median age of the whole patient group was 37 years (range 18–78 years). A total of 329 cases (61.4%) originated from endemic countries, 207 cases (38.6%) from non-endemic regions (Table 2). The vast majority of infections (94.8%) were contracted in sub-Saharan Africa. In 16 cases (3.0%) the disease was acquired in Asian countries. Most patients (69.6%) had no history of previous malaria episodes and had not taken regular chemoprophylaxis (79.5%). Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) was the leading reason for travel (25.1%). Sixty-eight (12.7%) cases fulfilled the criteria for severe malaria, 51 of them requiring intensive care. All 536 patients enrolled survived their infection.

Univariate analysis of the basic sociodemographic parameters revealed that increasing age, lack of previous malaria episodes, presentation delayed for ≥ 4 days, contraction of the disease in the WHO Southeast-Asian region, and being a tourist were associated with severe malaria (Table 2). Information on delay of presentation and reason of travel, however, was missing in a substantial proportion of cases and the association between contraction of the disease in the WHO Southeast-Asian region and severe malaria relied on only 16 subjects. These parameters were therefore not included in the subsequent multivariable analyses.

A total of 95 patients (17.7%) had at least one relevant chronic condition (range 0–3)—the most common being hypertension, endocrine/metabolic disorders, and chronic infectious disorders, including 15 HIV-positive individuals (Table 3). The absolute numbers of co-morbidities as well as a higher seriousness of the underlying disorders (CA-CCI score ≥ 2) were strongly associated with severe malaria in univariate analysis. Hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidaemia, malignancy, alcoholism and chronic infections (HIV-infection) were individual diseases associated with severe malaria in univariate analysis. After adjustment for age, endemic origin, and previous malaria episodes as potential confounders the associations remained significant for cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and alcoholism in multivariable logistic regression. For alcoholism, however, model diagnostics revealed presence of significant outliers. Additional adjustment for cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidaemia, and obesity did not affect the association between hypertension and severe malaria (adjusted odds ratios, aOR, 5.90, [95% confidence interval, CI 1.825–19.05].

Age distribution differed significantly (p = 0.002) between patients of non-endemic and endemic origin (Fig. 1): among patients of endemic origin median age was 36 years (range 18–78 years) with only 35 individuals (10.6%) being ≥ 50 years of age. The age distribution was broader among patients of non-endemic origin (median age: 41 years; range 18–76 years). In this group, 58 patients (28.0%) were ≥ 50 years of age. Prevalence of hypertension was strictly age-associated and increased markedly from the fifth decade onwards (Fig. 1) in both subgroups. However, hypertension was continuously more prevalent among individuals of endemic origin. After adjustment for age and previous malaria episodes, hypertension was still associated with severe malaria in both subgroups, patients of endemic origin (aOR, 3.60, [95% CI 1.05–12.35]) and non-endemic origin (aOR 4.83, [95% CI 1.44–16.22]), respectively.

The present study demonstrates that hypertension and its secondary diseases increase the risk for a severe course of imported falciparum malaria. The complex pathophysiology of falciparum malaria interferes with the mechanisms that compensate for the systemic effects of the infection on multiple levels. Pre-existing chronic medical conditions can further hamper these physiologic mechanisms, thereby facilitating development of severe malaria. The age-dependent increase in the prevalence of such non-communicable diseases presumably explains to a large extent the association of increasing age with severe falciparum malaria that has consistently been found in various studies.

The prevalence of hypertension is higher in populations constantly exposed to malaria [17]. Therefore, it has been suspected that malaria might be a cause for hypertension in areas of stable transmission and that hypertension confers some degree of protection against malaria as a result of a co-evolutionary process [18]. In Indian adults, polymorphisms in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, leading to elevated levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and thus hypertension, have been associated with protection against cerebral malaria [19]. Angiotensin II has subsequently not only been shown to directly inhibit Plasmodium growth in vitro [20]. It also appears to have a protective effect on the blood–brain barrier integrity, presumably by binding to Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptors [21].

In areas of unstable transmission and in imported falciparum malaria, however, the situation is likely different. Numerous studies have demonstrated the diverse effects of falciparum malaria on the cardiovascular system in the setting of acute disease in recent years [22]. These effects have three main components: a reduction of pre-load, direct myocardial suppression and increased after-load.

A reduced pre-load is the result of fluid losses from fever, perspiration, vomiting, diarrhoea, insufficient oral fluid intake, and increased vascular permeability. Nearly all patients with severe falciparum malaria are hypovolemic on presentation [23, 24]. By applying echocardiographic techniques more severe tachycardia, lower stroke volume index, and higher vena cava collapsibility index were found in acidotic malaria patients compared to less severely affected individuals [24]. Increase in heart rate and vasoconstriction are the principal physiologic responses to hypovolaemia.

Direct myocardial impairment has been demonstrated in severe but not in uncomplicated falciparum malaria cases by elevated levels of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) [25]. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF), which are excessively liberated in the context of severe malaria, can directly depress myocardial function [26].

Reduced red-blood cell (RBC) deformability is a pathophysiologic hallmark of falciparum malaria resulting in increased clearance of parasitized and non-parasitized erythrocytes. Cell-free haemoglobin released from ruptured erythrocytes acts as a nitric oxide (NO) scavenger [27], thereby increasing the plasma concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an NO synthase inhibitor [28]. Reduced NO bioavailability not only leads to increased pulmonary pressures and myocardial wall stress [29]. It also enhances endothelial dysfunction with subsequently impaired vasodilation [27]. Using invasive haemodynamic monitoring Hanson and colleagues demonstrated higher baseline systemic vascular resistance indexes (SVRI) in patients who died from severe malaria compared to survivors [23]. An increased SVRI together with reduced cardiac output in malaria patients compared to healthy controls could also be demonstrated in a study applying non-invasive techniques [30]. These results correlated with the cardial biomarkers NT-pro-BNP and myoglobin.

Importantly, the various pathophysiologic processes occur simultaneously and may augment each other, together leading to a reduced oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues and hence complicated malaria (Fig. 2). On the basis of these observations it appears reasonable that pre-existing disorders can add to malaria pathophysiology.

For long, HIV infection is known to increase the risk for severe falciparum malaria [31]. Recently, with diabetes and obesity two non-communicable conditions were identified as risk factors for severe imported falciparum malaria in a nation-wide analysis from Sweden [11]. Among other reasons, the authors explained this by a generally increased severity of infections in obese and diabetic patients [32].

Yet, there are alternative explanations for this association. In malaria pathophysiology obstruction of the microcirculation by parasitized red blood cells plays a central role [33]. Pre-existing microangiopathy could thus add to the deleterious effects of microcirculatory blood flow obstruction in acute falciparum malaria. Diabetes mellitus, lipid disorders, and hypertension are key factors for the development of microangiopathy. Arterial hypertension induces two types of diffuse structural changes in the systemic microcirculation: rarefaction and remodelling. Rarefaction refers to an abnormally reduced density of arterioles, capillaries and possibly venules [34]. Remodelling leads to a structural reduction in lumen diameter of resistance small arteries and arterioles [35]. While both structural modifications are seen in hypertensive patients, remodelling seems to play a paramount role in long-term elevation of systemic vascular resistance. In addition to these structural changes, hypertension as well as diabetes induces functional changes in the microvasculature. Hypertension- and diabetes-related endothelial dysfunction leads to reduced bioavailability of local vasodilators (such as NO and prostacyclin) and increased formation of vasoconstrictors and reactive oxygen species, balancing the microvasculature towards vasoconstriction. These functional microvascular changes result in increased systemic vascular resistance and reduced oxygen delivery to target organs [36]. Pre-existing hypertension- and diabetes-associated microangiopathy may thus potentiate the reduced oxygen supply to vital organs caused by imported falciparum malaria, thereby facilitating severe forms of the disease (Additional file 1).

Similar to diabetes and hypertension lipid disorders promote development of microangiopathy [37]. Hypertension-related cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease or atrial fibrillation likely contribute themselves to a decreased cardiac output in the setting of acute infection as depicted in Fig. 2.

In addition to various well-characterized risk factors for development of severe falciparum malaria such as increasing age, lack of semi-immunity (no history of previous malaria episodes, being a tourist), or delayed presentation chronic co-morbidity was associated with complicated disease in the present cohort. Not only the number of chronic conditions but also the seriousness of underlying co-morbidity (assessed by age-adjusted Charleson co-morbidity index) influenced the risk for development of severe falciparum malaria. One of the individual diagnoses responsible for this association was hypertension. With a prevalence of 9.2% hypertension was the single most common chronic condition in the study population. Multivariable analysis was therefore robust and revealed that hypertensive individuals had a threefold increased risk of developing severe imported falciparum malaria compared to patients without hypertension. With increased after-load, hypertensive cardiomyopathy and, most importantly, pre-existing microangiopathy, there were plausible pathophysiologic explanations for this association (Additional file 2). The epidemiologic heterogeneity of the cohort, however, required a more detailed interpretation of the results. As expected, prevalence of hypertension was higher among patients of endemic origin. Simultaneously, median age was significantly lower in this subgroup, with only 4 patients being ≥ 60 years. Yet, hypertension appeared to be independently associated with development of severe malaria regardless of origin.

The much lower case numbers for individuals with cardiovascular diseases, lipid disorders und alcoholism warranted a more careful interpretation of the association of these conditions with severe malaria. Yet—although statistically not significant in the final multivariable model—there was also a strong trend towards an increased risk for severe disease in patients with cardiovascular diseases in the study of Wyss et al. [11]. Besides, older age, alcohol use, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, dyslipidaemia and hypertension have also been associated with an increased risk for sepsis [38], a condition that shares certain features with falciparum malaria. Similar to the findings of the present study, the risk of sepsis increases with the number chronic medical conditions.

These findings have implications for supportive therapy of imported falciparum malaria. Effective anti-malarials usually achieve complete parasite clearance within 96 h of initiation. Aim of supportive therapy is to prevent the patient from harm due to the systemic effects of the disease. This is of particular importance in the prognostically decisive first 48 h of treatment. Yet, endothelial activation and inflammation can persist for up to 28 days after therapy (the so-called “post-treatment inflammatory effect“) [39]. The supportive therapy must, therefore, meet the specific pathophysiologic requirements of falciparum malaria well beyond completion of antimalarial therapy. Support of the cardiovascular system in severe malaria can be provided by numerous interventions such as correction of hypovolaemia by careful rehydration, controlling tachycardia in atrial fibrillation, maintaining adequate haemoglobin levels in order to ensure sufficient oxygenation—especially in concomitant coronary artery disease—or by providing inotropes in myocardial failure. The data presented here indicate that reducing an increased after-load with appropriate antihypertensives is another important intervention. As outlined elsewhere [18], Angiotensin-I antagonists are probably superior to other substances in this context. In circulatory shock and acute kidney injury, however, their use should be avoided.

The present study has several limitations, the main being its retrospective nature. Due to misclassification of exposure, for example, the medical histories of patients with severe disease could have been more thoroughly investigated than those of uncomplicated cases. However, all patients enrolled were hospitalized, treated under identical conditions, and their courses were recorded in standardized electronic files. Thus, data capture was high. Long observation period and monocentric design further add to limited quality of the data. However, severe imported falciparum malaria is a rare condition in most non-endemic regions. Thus, high-quality prospective trials conducted in resource-rich settings will hardly become available in the future. Retrospective analyses, therefore, continue to provide an important source of evidence. Together with a case load of > 500 individuals this allowed for detailed statistical analyses. Since cohorts of patients with imported falciparum malaria will differ in regard to average age, represented ethnicities, immune status, comorbidities, destinations, reason of travel and other important aspects, however, the results cannot be generalized recklessly. Though obesity and diabetes did not prove risk factors in the present cohort the analysis nevertheless strongly supports the hypothesis that chronic medical conditions promoting microangiopathy or reduced cardiac output facilitate development of severe falciparum malaria.

In addition to diabetes and obesity, hypertension is another previously unidentified risk factor for severe disease in adults with imported falciparum malaria. Due to its high prevalence this finding is not only of importance for travellers of non-endemic origin but also for expatriates originating from endemic areas with slowly waning semi-immunity. The study also gave evidence that related conditions such as cardiovascular diseases or lipid disorders may increase the risk for development of severe disease. Based on pathophysiologic considerations these associations are plausible.