Recurrent Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections in Kenyan children diminish T-cell immunity to Epstein Barr virus lytic but not latent antigens

PLoS One. 2012;7(3):e31753. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031753. Epub 2012 Mar 12.

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum malaria (Pf-malaria) and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infections coexist in children at risk for endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (eBL); yet studies have only glimpsed the cumulative effect of Pf-malaria on EBV-specific immunity. Using pooled EBV lytic and latent CD8+ T-cell epitope-peptides, IFN-γ ELISPOT responses were surveyed three times among children (10 months to 15 years) in Kenya from 2002-2004. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated in association with Pf-malaria exposure, defined at the district-level (Kisumu: holoendemic; Nandi: hypoendemic) and the individual-level. We observed a 46% decrease in positive EBV lytic antigen IFN-γ responses among 5-9 year olds residing in Kisumu compared to Nandi (PR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30-0.99). Individual-level analysis in Kisumu revealed further impairment of EBV lytic antigen responses among 5-9 year olds consistently infected with Pf-malaria compared to those never infected. There were no observed district- or individual-level differences between Pf-malaria exposure and EBV latent antigen IFN-γ response. The gradual decrease of EBV lytic antigen but not latent antigen IFN-γ responses after primary infection suggests a specific loss in immunological control over the lytic cycle in children residing in malaria holoendemic areas, further refining our understanding of eBL etiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / epidemiology*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / immunology*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / parasitology
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / virology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coinfection / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology*
  • Infant
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology*
  • Prevalence
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Interferon-gamma