title: Polyclonal B-lymphocyte stimulation in human malaria and its association with ongoing parasitemia.
abstract: To study the polyclonal B-lymphocyte stimulation or activation (PBA) phenomenon in human malaria, the numbers of immunoglobulin (G, A, and M)-secreting cells in the peripheral blood, serum levels of immunoglobulins, and the presence of antibodies directed against the DNA-autoantigen were evaluated in Plasmodium falciparum- and P. vivax-infected individuals. Individuals chronically exposed to the risk of infection or non-immune subjects who contracted malaria during first visits to endemic areas were studied. Numbers of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (IgSC) were increased dependent upon ongoing parasitemia. Levels of IgG and the anti-DNA activity were also augmented in malarious individuals from the endemic area. Study of the kinetics of PBA done in treated patients showed that PBA decreased during treatment and disappeared 5-15 days after the start of chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Banic
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Viana-Martins
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: De Souza
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daniel-Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002648:Child; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D007136:Immunoglobulins