ROLE OF IMMUNE SYSTEM IN THE CLEARANCE OF PLASMODIUM DURING ARTESUNATE THERAPY

Abstract

Efforts to eradicate malaria are threatened by the emergence and spread of resistance against artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), a first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum. Apart from parasite genetics, host immunity is thought to contribute to the artemisinin resistance. However, immune system components involved in the clearance and the elimination of malaria parasite during artemisinin treatment are poorly understood. Here, we used an experimental rodent malaria model to investigate the contribution of specific immune effectors against the malaria parasite during artesunate (ART) treatment. We demonstrated that the immune system has no role in the initial clearance of the parasite. However, a developing primary immune response, involving both B and CD4+ T cells, is crucial for the complete elimination of P. yoelii YM parasites after ART treatment. Our study demonstrated the indispensable role of adaptive immune system in ART efficacy.