Correlating the Plasma Levels of Interferon-Gamma, Interleukin-6 And Transforming Growth Factor-Beta in Under-Five Children with Malaria Parasitaemia

Background: It has been observed that dwellers in malaria endemic areas, who are continuously exposed to malaria parasitaemia, over time develop some level of immunity against severe forms of the disease. The interaction between the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is known to play key roles in the immune response to infectious diseases. The pathogenesis of malaria parasitaemia, including its progression to symptomatic manifestation, also seems to be strongly related to the interplay between these cytokines. Aim: The study showed correlations in between the plasma levels of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-six (IL-6), and Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β); and the correlation between Age and the plasma levels of the cytokines in children aged between 6 and 60 months, when infected with malaria parasitaemia. Method: The study was a cross-sectional study involving children with uncomplicated malaria. In the study, malaria parasitaemia was confirmed by microscopy, using Giemsa-stain. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to evaluate the plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-6 and TGF-β in the subjects. Results: The median plasma IFN-γ, IL-6 and TGF-β levels in participants with malaria parasitaemia were 225.15 pg/mL, 123.31 pg/mL and 2091.02 pg/mL, respectively. The relationship between plasma IFN-γ and IL-6, in the children with malaria parasitaemia showed a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.793; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings in this work showed that malaria parasitaemia in under-five years’ children is associated with a significant positive correlation in the plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-6, and a significant negative correlation between IFN-γ and TGF-β.