Effect of malaria parasites’ infection on CD4 cells, haemopoietic cells and haemopoietic factors

Abstract

Abstract Malariology Immunity is essential for understanding the pathology, treatment & vaccine production. Changes in CD4, haemopoietic cells & factors (RBC/HB/PCV/MCV/MCH & MCHC) in malaria parasites-infected patients were studied at a teaching hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. 45 patients on doctor’s provisional diagnosis of malaria were examined for Plasmodium infections & the degree of parasitaemia (0/+/++/& +++). Positive (+) & negative (0) samples were thereafter counted for CD4/haemopoietic cells & factors using Flow Cytometry/Automated Blood Cell Counter, respectively. Plasmodium-negative specimens were within reference ranges for CD4 cell count (464–1308); mean value: 835. Fifteen (+) parasitaemia showed lower ranges of CD4 count (502–1282); mean: 678; with immune falls in one (427). Nine from twelve (++) parasitaemia showed crash in CD4 cells counts, range: 301–415; mean: 399. Seven (+++) parasitaemia showed crashes in CD4 cell counts, range: 160–357; mean: 225. Significant rise with increase in parasitaemia occurs in neutrophils and Total WBC. Opposite occurred in the three other primary immune cells & platelets. There were variances in the basic immune cells’ percent & numeric. The haemoglobin factors didn’t exhibited significant change, except platelet that showed marked steady decrease with increase in parasitaemia. Plasmodium infection causes immunosuppression in patients, vivid changes in haemopoietic cells populations/percentages, & platelets. Malaria infection in the immunodeficients patients should accelerate the complications, including death, unlike prevailing reports. Haemolytic anaemia in malaria is likely complication resulting only from chronic cases since there was no vivid anaemia in this study None