LOSS OF CIRCULATING LYMPHOCYTES-T WITH NORMAL LEVELS OF LYMPHOCYTES-B AND NULL LYMPHOCYTES IN THAI ADULTS WITH MALARIA

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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (2) , 202-209
Abstract
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 49 Thai adults infected with Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax were examined to determine the percentage of T [thymus-derived], B [bone marrow-derived], and Fc-receptor-bearing cells present. Compared to healthy controls, the percentage and concentration of peripheral T-cells were decreased in the malaria-infected individuals as assessed by formation of rosettes with sheep red blood cells. The percentage of peripheral B-cells was increased but their concentration was unchanged, as assessed by 2 techniques: the presence of surface immunoglobulin and the presence of a complement receptor. The percentage and concentration of lymphocytes bearing Fc receptors were unchanged in infected individuals. Calculation of the changes in ''null'' cells (defined as non-T, non-B lymphocytes or as non-T, non-B, non-Fc-receptor-bearing lymphocytes) revealed an increase in the ''null'' cell percentage but a decrease in the absolute number of ''null'' cells. In adult Thai patients naturally infected with malaria, there may be a real loss of circulating T lymphocytes with no real change in B, Fc-receptor-bearing, or ''null'' lymphocytes.