Activation of mast cells in the skin of p. falciparum patients

Abstract

Background: Mast cells (MCs) play an important role in immune and inflammatory processes. MCs can be stimulated to degranulate and release histamine upon binding to immunoglobulin E (IgE), and have been linked to IgE-antimalarial antibodies. This study investigated the response of MCs in the skin of P. falciparum malaria patients. Methods: The skin tissues of P. falciparum malaria were classified into uncomplicated (10), complicated (20) malaria and normal skin tissues (29) which served as controls. Tissues from pre- and post-treatment were included. MCs were investigated by toluidine stain. Other histopathological features evaluated were extravasation of blood, perivascular edema and leukocyte infiltration. The percentage of MCs degranulation was compared among groups and correlated with clinical data. Results: MCs degranulation was seen highest in complicated P. falciparum (44.15% ± 3.20) group as compared to uncomplicated (33.25% ± 2.99) and control groups (19.84% ± 1.42), (p 0.05). Associated pathological features including extravasation of blood, perivascular edema, and leukocytic infiltration were significantly increased between malaria groups and when compared with control group (all p 0.001). Conclusions: MCs are activated during malaria infection and degree of degranulation is correlated with disease severity.