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Alterations on peripheral B cell subsets following an acute uncomplicated clinical malaria infection in children
Amolo S Asito1, Ann M Moormann, Chelimo Kiprotich
1School of Pure and Applied Science, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. aamolo@kisian.mimcom.net
Insights
Acute malaria significantly disrupts B-cell homeostasis in young children, altering naive, memory, and transitional B cell populations. These changes highlight the impact of Plasmodium falciparum infection on the immune system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The impact of Plasmodium falciparum malaria on B-cell homeostasis is not well understood.
- This study examines B-cell phenotype changes in children during acute malaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in peripheral B-cell phenotype during acute malaria in young children.
- To compare B-cell subsets between children with acute malaria, post-recovery, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Flow-cytofluorimetric analysis of peripheral blood B cells.
- Characterization of B-cell subsets (CD19+, IgD, CD38, CD10) in children aged 2-5 years.
- Comparison between acute malaria, post-recovery, and control groups.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in CD19+ B lymphocytes was observed during acute malaria.
- Reduced numbers of naive B cells (CD38-IgD+) and increased memory B cells (CD38+IgD-) were found.
- An expansion of transitional B cells (CD10+CD19+) was noted post-malaria.
Conclusions:
- Acute uncomplicated malaria causes significant disturbances in B-cell homeostasis in children.
- The study reveals profound changes in B-cell subsets during and after malaria infection.
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.
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