Serum Cytokine Profiles in Falciparum Malaria Patients: a Comparison between severe and uncomplicated cases

Abstract

The relative balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines appears important, since the role of cytokines has been reported in several studies by comparison of clinically heterogeneous groups of patients. This study is aim to determine the role of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, gamma interferon (IFN-), and alpha-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in a group of patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria compared with severe cases. Levels of cytokine profile in serum for 40 patients with severe falciparum malaria (SFM), 36 patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria (UFM) and 10 healthy volunteer subjects were determined by an Evidence Investigator Biochip Array (Randox, UK.). Serum levels of IL-2 were not significantly different between SFM and UFM on admission and decreased rapidly 1 day later in both groups. After successful treatment, serum levels of IL-2 were slightly increased to the levels that higher than the levels on admission. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-and TNF-were significantly different between SFM and UFM on admission and decreased rapidly in SFM group until the levels were normal at day 28 of hospitalization, but in UFM group, serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 increased rapidly 1 day later and slightly decreased until touch the normal levels. In conclusion, the increase of serum IL-6, IFN-and TNF-level (Cytokines that mediate natural immunity) during the acute phase of falciparum malaria may reflect an early and effective immune response. Moreover, the increase of serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, and IL-10 (Cytokines that regulate lymphocyte growth, activation and differentiation) may play a role in limiting progression from uncomplicated malaria to severe and life-threatening condition.