The proposed research is designed to determine if excessive activity of the T helper lymphocyte type 1 (Th-1) immune response and decreased activity of the Th-2 immune response are involved in the pathogenesis of severe anemia in children and adults with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Severe malarial anemia (hemoglobin
Aim 1. Determine if the production of neopterin, a marker of the Th-1 pathway, and MIF is increased in Thai children and adults with severe malarial anemia compared to normal children and adults or children and adults with cerebral malaria or uncomplicated malaria.
Aim 2. Determine if the production of the Th-2 related cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, are reduced in children and adults with severe malarial anemia compared to normal children and adults or children and adults with cerebral malaria or uncomplicated malaria.
Aim 3. Determine how often anemia lingers four weeks after starting effective therapy for complicated or uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria to Thai children and adults, and whether this persistent anemia is associated with sustained elevations in the production of neopterin and MIF. The proposed research program will provide insights into the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of severe malaria anemia by characterizing the immune response patterns in severe malarial anemia, cerebral malaria and uncomplicated malaria in Thai children and adults.
