Alterations on peripheral B cell subsets following an acute uncomplicated clinical malaria infection in children.
BACKGROUND
The effects of Plasmodium falciparum on B-cell homeostasis have not been well characterized. This study investigated whether an episode of acute malaria in young children results in changes in the peripheral B cell phenotype.


METHODS
Using flow-cytofluorimetric analysis, the B cell phenotypes found in the peripheral blood of children aged 2-5 years were characterized during an episode of acute uncomplicated clinical malaria and four weeks post-recovery and in healthy age-matched controls.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in CD19+ B lymphocytes during acute malaria. Characterization of the CD19+ B cell subsets in the peripheral blood based on expression of IgD and CD38 revealed a significant decrease in the numbers of naive 1 CD38-IgD+ B cells while there was an increase in CD38+IgD- memory 3 B cells during acute malaria. Further analysis of the peripheral B cell phenotype also identified an expansion of transitional CD10+CD19+ B cells in children following an episode of acute malaria with up to 25% of total CD19+ B cell pool residing in this subset.


CONCLUSIONS
Children experiencing an episode of acute uncomplicated clinical malaria experienced profound disturbances in B cell homeostasis.
Asito
Amolo S
AS
School of Pure and Applied Science, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. aamolo@kisian.mimcom.net
Moormann
Ann M
AM
Kiprotich
Chelimo
C
Ng'ang'a
Zipporah W
ZW
Ploutz-Snyder
Robert
R
Rochford
Rosemary
R
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000032:analysis; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000032:analysis; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D015260:Neprilysin