Leucocyte migration inhibition test in human Plasmodium vivax malaria

Specific antigen-induced T-lymphocyte response in human P. vivax malaria has been studied by a leucocyte migration inhibition test. The test was performed in four groups: (1) American/European controls; (2) Indians with acute P. vivax malaria; (3) immune Indians with no clinical attacks of malaria for 5 years; and (4) Indians with chronic infection. Group 3 showed significantly high inhibition as compared to group 1 (P less than 0.001) and group 2 (P less than 0.01). There was however no significant difference between the 'immune' and 'chronic' groups. Indirect haemagglutinating antibodies were also monitored in the test sera and there was an inverse correlation (r = -0.613; P less than 0.01) between IHA antibodies in serum and percentage leucocyte migration inhibition.