Immunological Characterization in Malaria Patients with and without the Sickle-Cell Trait

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the main causes of mortality in tropical zone. Specific immune responses are induced by parasite, including the release of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Sickle cell trait confers a high degree of resistance to severe and complicated malaria. The present study aims to assess immunological response of P. falciparum infection by measuring of total IgG level and IL-6, IL-12 & IL-18 levels for P. falciparum among Saudi Arabian patients with and without sickle-cell trait. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients who had clinical suspicion of malaria and sickle-cell trait attending Jazan general hospital in KSA were included in the study. Malaria patients with sickle-cell trait will be matched with a control (thirty patients diagnosed to have malaria but without sickle-cell trait). Diagnosis of malaria was done by Immunochromatography strip and blood film. Diagnosis of Sickle-cell trait was done by hemoglobin electrophoresis assessment of total IgG titre and Interleukin 6, 12, 18 levels using ELIZA. Results: Cytokines and IgG in uncomplicated clinical malaria (n = 22) and severe malaria (n = 7) were IL6 (83.1 pg/mL) versus (75.2 pg/mL), IL12 (19.4 pg/mL) versus (16.3 pg/mL), IL18 (22.45 pg/mL) versus (24.2 pg/mL) and IgG (13.3 SD) versus (4.5 SD). Differences in the IL6, IL12 and IgG were statistically significant (p value >0.02, >0.004 & >0.002 respectively). Among malaria patients with sickle cell trait, Cytokines and IgG in asymptomatic (n = 19) and uncomplicated clinical malaria (n = 11) were IL6 (88.9 pg/mL) versus (79.2 pg/mL), IL12 (24 pg/mL) versus (22.9 pg/mL), IL18 (24.2 pg/mL) versus (31.2 pg/mL) and IgG (27 SD) versus (7.35 SD). Differences in IgG were statistically significant (p value ≥ 0.003). Serum IL6 levels were higher in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria without sickle cell trait (median 83.1 ± 5.1 pg/mL) than in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria with sickle cell trait (medians 79.2 ± 4.5 pg/mL). This difference was statistically significant (p value = 0.003). Serum IgG levels were higher in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria without sickle cell trait (median 13.3 ± 10.84) than in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria with sickle cell trait (medians 7.35 ± 2.95) while in asymptomatic malaria and severe malaria, medians (27 ± 11.13 versus 4.5 ± 2.75). This difference was statistically highly significant (p value = 0.0009). Conclusion: Malaria protection by HbAS involves the enhancement of not only innate but also of acquired immunity to the parasite. Cytokins (IL6, IL12) and IgG play an important role in protection against severe malaria. The presence of HbAS is associated with increased acquired immunity to malaria. Further work will be done to work out how this change in immunity occurs but treatment of anyone with malaria, whatever their sickle cell status, is essential.

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Nafady, H. , Eida, A. and Eida, O. (2014) Immunological Characterization in Malaria Patients with and without the Sickle-Cell Trait. Advances in Infectious Diseases, 4, 152-164. doi: 10.4236/aid.2014.43022.

1. Introduction

Malaria is one of the main causes of mortality in tropical zone. Severe anemia and cerebral malaria is the main cause of morbidity and mortality [1] . Each year malaria accounts for an estimated 247 million new cases, which result in approximately 881,000 deaths, 91% of which occur in Africa and 85% being in children under 5 years of age [2] . In areas of high P. falciparum transmission, malaria infection manifests primarily as severe anemia, high density parasitemia, respiratory distress, acute renal failure, hypoglycemia and cerebral malaria [3] . P. falciparum infection begins with an asymptomatic extraerythrocytic hepatic phase. The intra-erythrocytic phase occurs when merozoites attack circulating erythrocytes then all symptoms and pathology of malaria begin [4] . The outcome of infection depends interaction between P. falciparium parasite and human including a delicate balance between appropriate and inappropriate induction of mediators [5] . A specific immune response is induced by parasite, including the release of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells [6] [7] which lead to activation of neutrophils, macrophages, T cells and natural killer (NK) cells [8] The inflammatory response requires the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins as IL-6 [9] , interferon (IFN) [10] and IL-18 which is a product mainly of activated monocytes/macrophages [11] [12] . They act as a chemo attractant factor [13] . This inflammatory response causes a considerable tissue damage, and the activation of phagocytes to kill and remove both intracellular and extracellular parasites [10] . Activated macrophages lead to early activation of T, B lymphocytes and NK cells by IL-12, causing more production of γ-IFN [14] . IL-18 and IL-12 are considered the main factors that control the response of γ-IFN and TNF-∂ from peripheral blood mononuclear cells respectively [11] [15] . There is a strong relation between these 2 cytokines and clinical outcomes of malaria [16] .

Red blood cell polymorphisms are frequently in zone where malaria is endemic so, some of these polymorphisms may give a relative advantage for survival [17] . The sickle cell trait (HbAS), comprising heterozygous carriage of hemoglobin (Hb) S, the result of a valine substitution for glutamic acid at position 6 of the hemoglobin b chain. HbAS has also been reported to protect against high parasitemia and morbidity of P. falciparum malaria [18] [19] . Mechanisms of protection made by HbAS, include poorer parasite invasion and growth rates in HbAS erythrocytes due to accelerated Sickling of parasite-infected HbAS erythrocytes, and accelerated phagocytosis of infected HbAS erythrocytes [20] -[22] . However the contribution of all of these in vivo is not known. “Variant surface antigens” (VSAs) of P. falciparum might play a role in the physiopathology of disease by adhesive interactions with different endothelial receptors of host [23] IgG antibodies directed to VSAs which might play a role in the protection of HbAS against parasite [24] .

The present study aims to assess immunological response of P. falciparum infection by measuring of total IgG level and IL-6, IL-12 & IL-18 level for P. falciparum among Saudi Arabian patients with and without Sickle-cell disease.

2. Patients and Methods

2.1. Patients

The study was conducted on 60 patients (20 - 45 years old) admitted to jazan general hospital in the period between March 2013 to February 2014 in the internal medicine department complaining of unexplained fever and diagnosed malaria, according to the clinical types of malaria the patients were classified into asymptomatic, uncomplicated and severe cases. Thirty malaria patients with Sickle-cell trait were included in the study. Malaria patients with the Sickle-cell trait was be matched with a control (Thirty patients diagnosed to have malaria but without Sickle-cell disease) to study the different associated factors.

2.2. Samples

The Blood samples were collected during a three-month period from January to March, a period coinciding with maximum malaria transmission in the endemic area. Blood samples were divided into three parts; first part was used for diagnosis of malaria by Immunochromatographic strip test then staining of blood film and; second part was used for diagnosis of Sickle-cell anemia and third part was stored as serum in −20˚C for assessment of total IgG titre and Interluekin 6, 12, 18 levels using ELIZA.

Screening for malaria parasites was done using Immunochromatographic stip test (ICT) according to [25] suspected cases of Malaria were confirmed by blood smears. Blood smears were stained with 1% Giemsa in PBS (pH 7.0) and examined by microscopy for malaria parasites as shown in Figure 1. Blood film was consi- dered negative if no parasites seen in 300 oil immersion fields on thin blood film. Parasite count was done according to [26] by determining of the number of parasitized red blood cells in 10,000 red blood cells. The approximate level of parasitemia (parasites no/microliter) was calculated; it is assumed that 1 µl of blood contained 5 × 106 erythrocytes when the patient’s baseline erythrocyte count not available. According to WHO criteria, Malaria is classified as following: Uncomplicated clinical malaria defined as any parasitemia with fever (temperature more than 37˚C or reported fever) or fever with a parasite density of >2500 parasites/microliter [27] . Sever malaria defined as criteria as malaria that present with life-threatening conditions (coma, severe anemia, hypoglycemia, shock or convulsions); hemoglobin level of 5.0 g /dL in association with a parasite density of >10,000 parasites/microliter [28] ; asymptomatic malaria defined as positive blood film or immunochromatography test with absence of symptoms. Parasite rate among patients infected by plasmodium with and without the Sickle- cell disease were assessed.

Sickle-cell trait was diagnosed by complete blood count (CBC) by coulter and peripheral blood film according to Herrick J et al., Hemoglobin types A, F, S were determined by standard hemoglobin electrophoresis according to [29] ), Sickle cell test according to [30] .

Total IgG titre against plasmodium were assessed by ELIZA using commercial available kits according to the manufacturer’s protocol (Abcam, UK).. Briefly, The 96 well malaria coated plate were used. Ten μL sample was added to 990 μL IgG Sample Diluent to obtain a 1:100 dilution and mixed gently and thoroughly. One hundred μL of controls or diluted samples were added into appropriate wells. All standards, controls and samples were assed in duplicate and 100 μL of Malaria anti-IgG horseradish peroxidase-conjugate was added and Incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. Finally, 100 μL TMB Substrate Solution were added to all wells and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature in the dark then 100 μL Stop Solution into all wells in the same order and at the same rate as for the TMB Substrate Solution. The absorbance of the specimen at 450 nm was measured within 30 minutes of addition of the Stop Solution. Cut-off was 10 Standard Units and Samples are considered negative <9 Standard Units and Positive >11 Standard Units.

The determination of IL-18, IL-12 and IL-6 were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercial available kits according to the manufacturer’s protocol (Abcam, UK respectively). The mean absorbance for each set of duplicate standards, controls and samples were calculated and subtracted the average zero standard optical density. The data analysis was carried out by generating a linear standard curve according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The lower limits of detection of the assay in malaria patients are 6.3 pg/ml and 7 pg/ml for IL-18 and IL-12, respectively. The upper limits in the healthy subjects are 4.8 pg/ml and 5.2 pg/ml for IL-18 and IL-12, respectively. The minimum detectable dose of IL-12 is less than 0.75 pg/mL and minimum detectable dose of IL-6 was found to be less than 0.81 pg/mL.

2.3. Statistical Analysis

Student’s two-tailed t-test and is used comparing the mean concentrations of cytokins and Total IgG in both groups. For t-test, p value < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. All calculations are performed using (Excell).

(a)(b)(c)

Figure 1. Blood smear showing (a) (P. falciparum gametocyte), (b) (P. falciparum ring stage), and (c) (P. falciparum in a thick blood film).

2.4. Ethical Considerations

The study was reviewed and ethically approved by the Ethical Committee of University of Jazan. Samples will be collected following written informed consent from patients. All patients were treated and followed by clinician.

3. Results

3.1. Participant Characteristics

The malaria patients without sickle cell trait (30), 20 of them (66.6%) were in age group (20 - 30 y) and 10 patients (33.4%) were in age group (30 - 45 y. Thirteen patients were female and 17 were male (43.3% and 56.7% respectively). One patient was asymptomatic, 22 were presented with uncomplicated clinical malaria and 7 were presented with severe malaria (3.3%, 73.3% and 23.3% respectively), while Of the 30 malaria patients with sickle cell trait, 22 patients (73.3%) were in age group (20 - 30 y) and 8 patients (26.3) were in age group (30 - 45 y). Twelve patients were female and 18 were male (40 % and 60% respectively). Nineteen patients were asymptomatic, 11 were presented with uncomplicated clinical malaria (63.3% and 36.7% respectively) while there is no cases presented with sever malaria (Table 1).

3.2. Immune Parameters and Presence of Sickle Cell Trait

Among malaria patients without sickle cell trait, Cytokines and IgG in uncomplicated clinical malaria (n = 22) and severe malaria (n = 7) were IL6 (83.1 pg/mL) versus (75.2 pg/mL), IL12 (19.4 pg/mL) versus (16.3 pg/mL), IL18 (22.45 pg/mL) versus (24.2 pg/mL) and IgG (13.3 SD) versus (4.5 SD). Of these results, differences in the IL6, IL12 and IgG were statistically significance (p value > 0.02, > 0.004 & > 0.002 respectively) (Table 2, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 5).

Among malaria patients with sickle cell trait, Cytokines and IgG in asymptomatic (n = 19) and uncomplicated clinical malaria (n = 11) were IL6 (88.9 pg/mL) versus (79.2 pg/mL), IL12 24 pg/versus 22.9 pg/mL, IL18 24.2 pg/mL versus 31.2 pg/mL and IgG 27 SD versus 7.35 SD. Of these results, differences in IgG were statistically significant (p value ≥ 0.003) (Table 2, Figures 2-5).

Serum IL6 levels were higher in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria without sickle cell trait (median 83.1 ± 5.1 pg/mL) than in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria with sickle cell trait (medians 79.2 ± 4.5 pg/mL) This differences was statistically significant (p value = 0.003) (Figure 2 & Table 2).

Serum IgG levels were higher in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria without sickle cell trait (median

Table 1. Characteristics of patients included in the study.

Table 2. Analysis of IL 6, IL 12, IL 18 and total IgG among malaria patients with and without sickle cell trait.

aIl 6 {p value = 0.02 bIl 6 p value = 3.3 (between both groups IL 6 p value = 0.003)}. cIl 12 {p value = 0.004; dIl 12 p value = 5.77 (between both groups IL 12 p value = 0.1)}. eIL 18 {p value = 2.6; fIL 18 = p value = 2.5 (between both groups IL 18 p value = 6.5)}. gIgG {p value ≥ 0.002; hIgG p value ≥ 0.003. (between both groups IgG p value = 0.0009}.

Figure 2. Total IL 6 levels in malarial patients with and without sickle cell trait (IL 6 p value > 0.003).

Figure 3. Total IL 12 levels in malarial patients with and without sickle cell trait (IL 12 p value = 0.1).

Figure 4. Total IL 18 levels in malarial patients with and without sickle cell trait (IL 18 p value = 6.5).

Figure 5. Total IgG levels in malarial patients with and without sickle cell trait (IgG p value = 0.0009).

13.3 ± 10.84) than in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria with sickle cell trait (medians 7.35 ± 2.95) while in asymptomatic malaria and severe malaria, medians (27 27 ± 11.13 versus 4.5 4.5 ± 2.75). This differences was statistically highly significant (p value = 0.0009) (Figure 5 & Table 2).

4. Discussion

Malaria remains one of the most important parasitic infections in the world. P. falciparum accounts for a vast majority of malaria associated morbidity and mortality. In endemic countries, infection with P. falciparum causes a range of outcomes, including asymptomatic parasitaemia, uncomplicated disease and severe malaria, which commonly progresses to death [31] .

Sickle cell anemia (SCA), which is caused by having two copies of an abnormal gene (HbS) that causes red cells to deform easily, occurs more frequently in populations exposed to malaria. Malaria resistance by the sickle cell trait has served as the prime example of genetic selection for over half a century. Nevertheless, the mechanism of this resistance remains the subject of considerable debate. It probably involves innate factors such as the reduced ability of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to grow and multiply in HbAS erythrocytes, recent observations suggest that it might also involve the accelerated acquisition of malaria-specific immunity [32] .

The immune system plays an important role in inflammatory conditions in sickle cell trait. Several cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), are associated with the activation of leukocytes, particularly monocytes and neutrophils, in sickle cell trait. The activation of cells and the release of cytokines (IL-18, IL-17, IL-23, IL-12 and IL10) stimulate the TNF (Mansell and Jenkins 2013). IL-1β and IL-18 are important players in vascular modulation but further analysis is needed to understand the interaction of these cytokines with other cytokines [33] .

In our study among malaria patients without sickle cell trait, regarding cytokines and IgG in uncomplicated clinical malaria and severe malaria, significant increase in IL6, IL12 and IgG in uncomplicated malaria was found. Meanwhile, among malaria patients with sickle cell trait, Cytokines (IL6, IL12) and IgG were higher in asymptomatic cases than in uncomplicated clinical malaria, and the differences in IgG was statistically significance while IL18 was higher in uncomplicated malaria than in asymptomatic malaria but difference was not significant. Serum IL6 levels were significantly higher in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria without sickle cell trait than in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria with sickle cell trait. Serum IgG levels were higher in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria without sickle cell trait than in patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria with sickle cell trait while in asymptomatic malaria in patient with Sickle cell trait, the total IgG was very high. This difference was statistically highly significant. Meanwhile IL12 was higher in uncomplicated cases compared to those with severe cases in malaria without sickle cell and the difference was statistically significant and also increased in asymptomatic cases in malaria patient compared to uncomplicated case with sickle cell trait but the difference was statistically insignificant. IL18 was higher in severe cases compared to those with uncomplicated cases in malaria without sickle cell but the difference was statistically insignificant and also increased in uncomplicated cases than asymptomatic malaria patient with sickle cell trait.

The human immune response to P. falciparum infection involves the release of cytokines that may contribute to the control of the parasites' replication. These cytokines are also involved in the pathogenesis of the malaria caused by the infection, leading to the appearance of symptoms of varying severity. The asymptomatic sicklers had significantly lower expression of tumor necrosis factor than the non-sicklers with severe malaria, but these two groups showed similar expression of interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6, IL12, IL18 [34] . Immunity takes over with CD4 + T-cells becoming the main producers of interleukin-12 defines type 1 helper cells and is associated with a strong cell-mediated immunity with production of IL-4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. [35] performed a similar study of HbAS children who were infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Surprisingly, detectable levels of IL-12 were found in patients with mild malaria, but not in asymptomatic individuals.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine with diverse pleiotropic effects; it is important for regulating innate and acquired immunity in inflammatory and infectious diseases. When we studied the IL18 we did not find any significant differences between the two groups of patients. A previous study investigated the relationship between IL-12 and IL-18 and clinical malaria reported increase of IL -18 in uncomplicated malaria, which progressively declined in moderate malaria, and there was a further decrease in children with severe malaria anemia [36] . These results parallel another study showing significantly elevated IL-12 and IL-18 cases with mild malaria that decreased as disease severity progressed [37] . In contrast, a close association between increased IL-18 levels and severe falciparum malaria has been demonstrated. IL-18 plays an important role in conditioning severe malaria [38] . However, no studies to date have reported the role of polymorphic variants of IL-18 gene in modulating malaria in peripheral blood mononuclear cells or plasma [39] .

[40] [41] demonstrated that the mean serum level of IL-6 was higher in sickle cell trait patients than in normal controls, and there was also a significant increase in IL-6 levels in crisis patients when compared to steady-state patients. [42] reported that cytokine levels in SCA patients with periodontal inflammation and found that the SCA group displayed significantly higher levels of various cytokines, including IFN-γ, than the control group. There was also elevated production ofIL -6 in these patients than in control patients, but this difference did not reach statistical significance in agreement with our study. Surprisingly, IL-6 levels were significantly higher during the steady state than during painful crises. Other investigators report normal or reduced levels of the same proinflammatory cytokines [43] .

The mechanism by which HbAS protects against malaria is probably related to the physical characteristics of HbAS erythrocytes, a number of studies suggest that HbAS may also enhance the acquisition of natural immunity [44] ; however, establishing this relationship is difficult because immunity to malaria is hard to measure. To date, no single immune response has been described that reliably predicts protective immunity. Our study is, to our knowledge, the first with sufficient power to observe the protective effect of HbAS on the basis of cytokines. We found that HbAS protection increases significantly the levels of IgG, cytokines IL-6 and IL 12 in patients with sickle cell trait than those without sickle cell trait, while it is possible that this observation could result from any factor that both affects malaria risk and varies with age, accelerated immune acquisition seems by far the most likely explanation. So how might HbAS result in the accelerated acquisition of malaria-specific immunity? A number of mechanisms have been proposed, in common with other red cell genetic defects, enhanced phagocytosis by monocytes of HbAS red blood cells infected with ring-stage P. falciparum was found to be enhanced compared to that of infected HbAA cells, providing evidence for a role of the innate immune system in protection against P. falciparum in HbAS individuals. Enhanced phagocytosis may be due to increased presentation of opsonins, including membrane bound IgG, C 3c , membrane-bound hemichromes, and aggregated band 3 [45] .

As an alternative explanation, it seems possible that by controlling parasite densities during malaria infections [46] innate processes might paradoxically increase the chronicity of individual infections. This hypothesis is supported by the greater number of strains of P. falciparum parasites found in HbAS than HbAA children at cross-sectional survey [47] . By increasing the duration of individual malaria infections HbAS might paradoxically increase host exposure to a variety of antigens capable of inducing malaria-specific immunity. In our current study we have focused on, asymptomatic, uncomplicated and severe cases of malaria, 63.3% of malaria cases were asymptomatic and 36.7% of cases were uncomplicated while no severe cases was recorded among patients with sickle cell trait. For accelerated malaria-specific immunity to be relevant to HbAS selection it would have to operate within the period of maximum risk for severe and fatal malaria. [48] reported that HbAS is strongly protective against severe and fatal malaria, this may have reflected early protection by maternally transferred immunoglobulins, given the level of protection conferred by HbAS against severe malaria. The relevance of our observations in asymtomatic clinical malaria to the protection afforded by HbAS against severe and fatal malaria therefore remains unknown,while immunity against severe malaria develops significantly more rapidly than immunity to asymtomatic clinical attacks, the determinants of each remain poorly understood. We suggest that establishing the role of HbAS in each of these processes may be one route to learning more about the mechanisms involved.

P. falciparum parasites induced sickling of HbAS red blood cells in vitro, by increase in the polymerized hemoglobin or a reduction of intracellular pH [49] leading to enhanced phagocytosis of infected cells and reduced parasitaemia compared to that in HbAA individuals. Other specific intra-erythrocytic conditions of HbAS red blood cells, such as low intracellular potassium, high concentrations of hemoglobin or osmotic shrinkage of the red blood cell cause an inhospitable environment for parasites [50] .

Biochemical and mechanical changes in infected HbAS red blood cells have been shown to alter disease progression. Decreased rosette formation and the resulting decreased circulatory obstruction might contribute to protection against severe malaria in HbAS individuals [51] .

In our study we found evidence for an enhanced humeral response in subjects with HbAS. Increased levels of gamma globulin were found in HbAS compared to HbAA patients. However, higher levels of specific antibodies directed at parasite surface antigens believed to play a role in protective responses. Another study found lower levels of IgG1 and IgG 3 in HbAS individuals [52] , possibly due to reduced exposure to studied antigens in HbAS individuals. In contrast, higher levels of IgG, which are located on the surface of the red blood cell, have been found in individuals with HbAS in a number of studies. On study found HbAS individuals had a higher IgG response to the infected red blood cell. This might be due to enhanced humoral immune response in HbAS individuals may be directed at proteins on the surface of the infected red leading to increased splenic uptake of infected red blood cells in HbAS individuals [53] .

In our study among patients with uncomplicated clinical malaria, serum level of IgG in HbSS-malaria subjects in this study was slightly lower than that of HbAA-malaria while among asymptomatic malaria, serum level of IgG were significantly higher in HbSS-malaria subjects than in HbAA-malaria. Other investigators have reported a reduced serum IgG in HbSS-malaria compared with HbAA without malaria [54] . Reduced IgG observed in HbSS-malaria suggests that perhaps at the time of the investigation, the subjects were not harboring clinical doses of infectious agents to trigger over-production of IgG. In response to endothelial cell damage, cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF are produced. IL-1 is known to stimulate T and B cells while IL-6 differentiates B cells into antibody forming cells. The reason for a higher level of IgG in HbSS malaria subjects compared with HbAA malaria among asymptomatic individuals could be a result of higher Plasmodium density caused by incomplete clearance of parasite from the blood or may be a result of more sequestration ability of Plasmodium infected sickled RBCs. HbSS + malaria patients had the highest values of the 3 classes of immunoglobulin (IgM, IgA and IgG). Humeral responses to malaria show pronounced increase cytophilic antibodies IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses, unlike responses to other pathogens where IgG2 dominate [55] .

The main impetus for trying to understand immunity to malaria is the need to develop effective malaria vaccines. Despite years of knowing that humans can be immune to malaria the mechanisms underlying this immunity are yet to be properly understood. Incidence among people residing in a malaria endemic area may be attributable to genetic factors [56] -[59] .

5. Conclusion

Our observations suggest that malaria protection by HbAS involves the enhancement of not only innate but also of acquired immunity to the parasite. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms might yield important insights into both these processes. There was obvious increase in the total IgG, IL 6 in malaria patients with sickle cell trait and in a symptomatic and uncomplicated case compared to malaria patients without sickle cell trait and in severe cases of malaria. Meanwhile IL12 was higher in uncomplicated cases compared to those with severe cases in malaria without sickle cell and also increased in asymptomatic cases in malaria patient with sickle cell trait compared to uncomplicated cases. As regard to IL 18 it was raised in malaria patients with sickle cell trait. The presence of HbAS is associated with increased acquired immunity to mild malaria. Further work will need to be done to work out how this change in immunity occurs. It is not yet known whether these results are also true for protection against severe malaria, and in any case the protection is only partial; hence, treatment of anyone with malaria, whatever their sickle cell status, is essential.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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