A longitudinal study of plasma BAFF levels in mothers and their infants in Uganda, and correlations with subsets of B cells

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease with approximately half of the world’s population at risk. Young children and pregnant women are hit hardest by disease. B cells antibodies part an adaptive immune response protecting individuals continuously exposed to parasite. An infection Plasmodium falciparum can cause dysregulation cell homeostasis, while known be key in controlling symptoms parasitemia. BAFF instrumental cytokine for development maintenance cells. Pregnancy alters status renders previously clinically risk severe malaria, due altered responses associated changes levels. In this prospective study, we investigated levels malaria-endemic area mothers their infants from birth up 9 months. We found that BAFF-levels significantly higher than mothers. highest cord blood then drops rapidly, but remains compared even months age. further correlated P . falciparum- specific antibody frequencies negative correlation between both -specific total proportions IgG + memory cells, as well CD27 − indicating exposure malaria other diseases affect B-cell plays this. conclusion, have provided new information on how natural immunity against formed.