B cell sub-types following acute malaria and associations with clinical immunity. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, Richard; Ssewanyana, Isaac; Wamala, Samuel; Nankya, Felistas; Jagannathan, Prasanna; Tappero, Jordan; Mayanja-Kizza, Harriet; Muhindo, Mary; Arinaitwe, Emmanuel; Kamya, Moses; Dorsey, Grant; Feeney, Margaret; Riley, Eleanor; Drakeley, Chris; Greenhouse, Bryan
• Is Part Of: Malaria journal. Volume 15:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Atypical memory B cells -- Transitional B cells -- Plasmablasts -- Plasma cells Plasmodium falciparum -- Malaria -- Immunity; Malaria -- Periodicals; 616.9362
• DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1190-0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-2875

Abstract

Abstract Background Repeated exposure toPlasmodium falciparum is associated with perturbations in B cell sub-set homeostasis, including expansion atypical memory B cells. However, B cell perturbations immediately following acute malaria infection have been poorly characterized, especially with regard to their relationship with immunity to malaria. Methods To better understand the kinetics of B cell sub-sets following malaria, the proportions of six B cell sub-sets were assessed at five time points following acute malaria in four to 5 years old children living in a high transmission region of Uganda. B cell sub-set kinetics were compared with measures of clinical immunity to malaria—lower parasite density at the time of malaria diagnosis and recent asymptomatic parasitaemia. Results Atypical memory B cell and transitional B cell proportions increased following malaria. In contrast, plasmablast proportions were highest at the time of malaria diagnosis and rapidly declined following treatment. Increased proportions of atypical memory B cells were associated with greater immunity to malaria, whereas increased proportions of transitional B cells were associated with evidence of less immunity to malaria. Conclusions These findings highlight the dynamic changes in multiple B cell sub-sets following acute, uncomplicated malaria, and how these sub-sets are associated with developing immunity to malaria.