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Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen
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Malaria, anemia, and invasive bacterial disease: A neutrophil problem?

Jason P Mooney1, Lauren J Galloway1, Eleanor M Riley1

  • 1The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom.

Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|December 21, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Malaria infection impairs neutrophil function, increasing the risk of invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) disease, particularly in children. Subclinical malaria may explain high rates of invasive bacterial infections in Africa.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Invasive bacterial disease is common in immunocompromised individuals, including those with malaria.
  • Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection can become systemic and fatal in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
  • Neutrophils are vital for clearing NTS, but their function is impaired by malaria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the link between malaria and invasive NTS infections.
  • To examine neutrophil dysfunction during malaria and its role in NTS susceptibility.
  • To explore potential mechanisms, including heme oxygenase-1, IL-10, and complement.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on malaria, NTS infections, and neutrophil function.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data linking malaria prevalence to invasive bacterial disease incidence.
  • Exploration of immunoregulatory mechanisms in malaria-induced susceptibility.

Main Results:

  • Malaria infection severely compromises neutrophil oxidative burst and intracellular killing of Salmonella.
  • Heme oxygenase-1, IL-10, and complement are implicated in malaria-associated neutrophil dysfunction.
  • Subclinical malaria infections are associated with an increased risk of invasive NTS.

Conclusions:

  • Malaria-induced immunomodulation creates a window of susceptibility to invasive NTS.
  • Neutrophil dysfunction is a key factor mediating this increased risk.
  • The high prevalence of subclinical malaria may contribute significantly to invasive bacterial disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa.
Keywords:
IL-10anemiaheme oxygenase-1malarianeutrophilsalmonellasepsis

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