Impact of malnutrition on plasmodium falciparum specific IgG antibody and T cell responses in malaria infected children in Kilifi County, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorWaithaka, Albina Thira
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-01T09:07:24Z
dc.date.available2017-12-01T09:07:24Z
dc.date.issued2016-10
dc.descriptionA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science (Biochemistry) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University. October 2016en_US
dc.description.abstractIn Africa, overlap between malaria and under-nutrition results in high child mortality and morbidity and this is potentially due to immune dysfunction. Antibody and T cell responses playa major role in malaria immunity, however the impact of malnutrition on these responses is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of malnutrition on Plasmodium falciparum specific antibody and T cell responses in malaria infected children in Kilifi County, Kenya. The study was conducted in Kilifi County where malnutrition and malaria co-morbidity is prevalent. The study used 240 archived plasma samples collected from children admitted at Kilifi County Hospital with malaria. IgG responses to malaria antigens (AMA1, MSP2, MSP3 and schizont extract) were compared between 120 malnourished malaria infected and 120 age-matched well-nourished malaria infected children. To test if soluble proteins present in malnourished children plasma alter T cell function, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a healthy adult were cultured using either plasma from malnourished malaria-infected children or well-nourished malaria infected children. Proteins in the plasma used in the T cell culture experiment were identified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry Results obtained showed that except for AMAl (p > 0.05) the proportion of IgG responders to MSP2, MSP3 and schizont extract was significantly higher in malnourished children (p :s 0.05). The levels of antimalarial IgG for all the antigens were comparable (p > 0.05). T cells cultured using plasma from malnourished children had higher proliferative capacity than T cells cultured using plasma from well-nourished children (p < 0.05). Plasma proteomic profiling also demonstrated that malnourished children had differentially expressed proteins in comparison to well-nourished childreri, with notable up regulation. of the inflammatory proteins; ficolin 1, CIq and lipopolysaccharide binding protein. In conclusion, malnourished malaria infected children make adequate responses against malaria antigens, however this may be dependent on the target P. falciparum antigen. Malnutrition leads to "differential expression of various plasma proteins. Some of these proteins are involved in inflammation and could be responsible for promoting non-specific T cell proliferation. Given the presence of CIq, ficolin and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in malnourished children, the role of innate immunity in malaria and malnutrition should be considered. The relationship b~tween various micronutrient deficiencies and protective antibody. responses an.d T cell function should also be determined.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/17886
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherKenyatta Universityen_US
dc.titleImpact of malnutrition on plasmodium falciparum specific IgG antibody and T cell responses in malaria infected children in Kilifi County, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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