Alterations on peripheral B cell subsets following an acute uncomplicated clinical malaria infection in children

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Ng'ang'a Zipporah W, Kiprotich Chelimo, Moormann Ann M, Asito Amolo S, Ploutz-Snyder Robert, Rochford Rosemary
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-7-238; https://doaj.org/article/a83a295d026b40ef9ed46eddecadc6aa

Abstract Background The effects of Plasmodium falciparum on B-cell homeostasis have not been well characterized. This study investigated whether an episode of acute malaria in young children results in changes in the peripheral B cell phenotype. Methods Using flow-cytofluorimetric analysis, the B cell phenotypes found in the peripheral blood of children aged 2–5 years were characterized during an episode of acute uncomplicated clinical malaria and four weeks post-recovery and in healthy age-matched controls. Results There was a significant decrease in CD19 + B lymphocytes during acute malaria. Characterization of the CD19 + B cell subsets in the peripheral blood based on expression of IgD and CD38 revealed a significant decrease in the numbers of naive 1 CD38 - IgD + B cells while there was an increase in CD38 + IgD - memory 3 B cells during acute malaria. Further analysis of the peripheral B cell phenotype also identified an expansion of transitional CD10 + CD19 + B cells in children following an episode of acute malaria with up to 25% of total CD19 + B cell pool residing in this subset. Conclusion Children experiencing an episode of acute uncomplicated clinical malaria experienced profound disturbances in B cell homeostasis.