SEVERE MALARIAL ANEMIA AND ALTERED IMMUNE FUNCTION

Howard University, Washington DC

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from the Applicant's Abstract): The proposed research is designed to determine if excessive activity of the T helper lymphocyte type 1 (Th-1) immune response and decreased activity of the Th-2 immune response are involved in the pathogenesis of severe anemia in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Severe malarial anemia (hemoglobin <5g/dL in a patient with a positive malaria smear) accounts for almost 10 percent of pediatric hospital admissions in southern Zambia and has a mortality of 9 percent despite aggressive therapy with blood transfusion and anti-malaria therapy. Th-1 cytokines suppress erythroid precursors, divert iron from hemoglobin synthesis to stores, and lead to moderate to severe anemia. MIF, produces by macrophages upon ingestion of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, is an immune modulator hat has a suppressive effect on erythropoiesis. This study hypothesizes that severe malarial anemia develops in a patient with an abnormal immune response pattern characterized by 1) the persistence or resurgence of a prominent Th-1 response in the presence of chronic malaria and 2) 2xcessive release of MIF. The proposed research will examine the Th-1 and Th-2 responses and MIF production in Zambian children with uncomplicated malaria. The nutritional status, underlying parasitic infections, and genotypes and numbers of infecting P. falciparum strains will also be characterized.