title: Cellular immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum antigens in Gambian children during and after an acute attack of falciparum malaria.
abstract: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 63 Gambian children with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria were examined for lymphoproliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN) production in response to stimulation by mitogens, malaria antigens and other soluble antigens. Mitogen or Candida-induced proliferation was not depressed during acute infection but was enhanced 2 to 4 weeks after treatment. Responses to partially purified soluble P. falciparum antigens were minimal or absent in all children in the acute phase but approximately 50% of the children responded by proliferation or IFN-gamma production during the 2 to 8 week convalescent period. These proliferative responses were severely depressed in the presence of the patient's own serum. Nine children with significant convalescent phase proliferative responses were re-examined several months after acute infection. Of these, four remained responsive for at least 8 months in the probable absence of reinfection.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D007371:Interferon-gamma