Difference between kwashiorkor and marasmus: Comparative meta-analysis of pathogenic characteristics and implications for treatment

Kwashiorkor and marasmus are two clinical syndromes observed in severe acute malnutrition. In this review, we highlighted the differences between these by reviewing data comparing kwashiorkor literature, combined with recent microbiological findings meta-analysis. Depletion of antioxidants, vitamins minerals were more than marasmus. This was consistent uncontrolled oxidative stress associated depletion gut anaerobes relative proliferation aerotolerant pathogens. invasion microbes belonging to Proteobacteria phylum pathogens suggested a specific microbial process critical pathogenesis kwashiorkor. Liver mitochondrial peroxisomal dysfunction could be secondary toxic compounds produced such as ethanol, lipopolysaccharides endotoxins Proteobacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, aflatoxin Aspergillus species. The gut-liver axis alteration is characterized oedema fatty enlarged liver dramatic methionine glutathione, an excessive level free circulating iron frequent lethal bacteraemia enteric fact that antibiotics improved survival only children but not pathogenic characteristics identified review open new avenues develop targeted effective treatments for both and/or Urgent correction plasma glutathione depletion, alongside supply essential amino acids, cysteine, early detection antibiotic efficient amoxicillin supressing including K. probiotics restore human anaerobic mature microbiota save many