Alterations on peripheral B cell subsets following an acute uncomplicated clinical malaria infection in children

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Abstract
Background: The effects ofPlasmodium falciparumon 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.Conclusion: Children experiencing an episode of acute uncomplicated clinical malaria experienced profound disturbances in B cell homeostasis.