A study of the role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of the anaemia of acute malaria

Children with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria and anaemia were investigated to see if immunological factors could be implicated in the pathogenesis of their anaemia. Direct Coombs tests using an anti-whole immunoglobulin antiserum were negative in all 12 children tested but two had positive tests with antisera to C3b and C3d. Low plasma levels of C3 and C4 were found but these were not significandy different from values found in a group of children with acute malaria who were not anaemic. Serum levels of immune complexes were normal at the time of their presentation at hospital with anaemia but were elevated one month later. Incubation of group O rhesus-negative red cells in a serum pool obtained from children with acute malaria and anaemia did not cause enhanced haemolysis or reduce their survival time on injection into mice. Splenic uptake of red cells was, however, significantly enhanced. We conclude that the anaemia of acute malaria is due mainly to destruction of red cells by malaria parasites and to enhanced erythrophagocytosis of normal cells. © 1978 Oxford university press.