How immune system protects children from malaria revealed

A new study has revealed that children who live in regions of the world where malaria is common can mount an immune response to infection with malaria parasites.

According to the study, that the immune response may enable kids to avoid repeated bouts of high fever and illness and partially control the growth of malaria parasites in their bloodstream.

The researchers have claimed that the findings may help in developing future interventions that prevent or mitigate the disease caused by the malaria parasite.

It was found that immune cells collected before the malaria season responded by producing large amounts of molecules that cause inflammation, fever and other malaria symptoms.

According to the authors, this immune response, which appears to depend on ongoing exposure to malaria parasites, may have evolved to protect young children from potentially life-threatening inflammation and unchecked parasite growth in the face of repeated malaria infections, before they acquire antibodies that reliably protect against the onset of malaria symptoms.

The study was published in PLOS Pathogens.