Study on the balance between protective and regulatory immune responses that determine the pathogenesis of malaria infection in the endemic region of Kenya

Individuals living in malaria endemic areas become clinically immune after multiple re-infections over time and remain infected without apparent symptoms. However, it is unclear how such a balanced status of the infection and immunity is maintained. A cross-sectional study of the immune responses in asymptomatic school children living in an endemic region of Plasmodium falciparum infections in Kenya was conducted. The production of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to P. falciparum crude antigens exhibited strong heterogeneity among children. In addition, production of IL-2 in response to T-cell receptor stimulation was reduced in children with positive as compared to negative P. falciparum findings. These data suggest that T cell immune responses are generally suppressed among asymptomatic infected children living in the endemic region of P. falciparum.

Project Details

Immunology
Vulnerable Populations

Apr 2015 — Mar 2018

$142,751

Kenya