[Lymphocyte subpopulations during a longitudinal survey in an endemic malaria zone]

In a longitudinal survey conducted in savanna area (Burkina Faso, West Africa) where malarial transmission is seasonal, we studied modifications of T, B lymphocytes, NK cells, and CD4+, CD8+ and activated T subpopulations of 61 patients (31 adults and 30 children, among them 20 showed at least one malarial attack during the survey). Analysis was made by direct immunofluorescence on a cytofluorimeter. Our study did not show any significant differences in lymphocytes subpopulations according to age or presence of malarial attack. None of the lymphocyte markers in the peripheral blood are related to premunition, may be because host/parasite conflict mainly occurs in deep organs.