Cellular Immune Mechanisms in Malaria and African Trypanosomiasis.

摘要

The cell-mediated immune defense mechanisms responsible for host resistance to malaria and trypanosomiasis are poorly understood. The authors therefore examined peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Thai adults naturally infected with malaria in order to determine; (1) the percentages of T,B, and Null cells present during active infection and (2) the functional competence of the lymphocytes as judged by responsiveness to mitogens and cell surface antigens. The authors also investigated the ability of normal mouse lymphocytes to damage antibody coated trypanosomes as an explanation for antibody-induced cell-mediated, complement-independent, effector mechanisms of trypanosome inactivation. In comparison to healthy controls, both the percentage and concentration of peripheral T cells were decreased in individuals infected with P. falciparum and P.vivax as assessed by formation of rosettes with sheep red blood cells after 5 minutes, 1 hour, and overnight incubations. The percentage of peripheral B cells was increased but their concentration was unchanged, as assessed by two techniques: the presence of surface immunoglobulin and the presence of a complement receptor.