Cell-mediated aspects of malaria
Clark, I.A.; Butcher, G.A.
Papua and New Guinea Medical Journal 29(1): 59-62
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1480 PMID: 3529706 Document Number: 285417
A brief review is given of some of the factors which point to the clinical symptoms of malaria being mediated through host cells rather than directly from the parasite. Fever is a cell-mediated process caused by release of interleukin-1 from macrophages, and these cells can learn to tolerate stimuli for its release. Some of the symptoms in P. falciparum malaria may arise from the generation of activated forms of complement that release harmful mediators, including toxic forms of oxygen, from leukocytes. The role of non-phagocytic cellular immune mechanisms in the intraerythrocytic death of malaria parasites (production of crisis forms) is reviewed and the apparent importance of toxic forms of oxygen emphasized. Non-phagocytic cell-mediated immunity may act cooperatively with antibody.