Non-specific cellular immunity was determined in 59 Nigerian children aged between 1-9 years with uncomplicated malaria and 93 age-matched uninfected controls using percentage migration index (%M.I) and Mantoux tuberculin skin test. The mean %M.I (using malaria Pf 155 antigen) was significantly lower in malaria subjects compared with the controls (p<0.05) while the mean diameter of tuberculin skin reaction (using Purified Protein Derivative of
Mycobacterium butyricum
) was significantly lower in children with uncomplicated malaria compared with the controls (p<0.05). The mean total white blood cell count (TWBC) was also significantly reduced in the malaria subjects when compared with the controls (p<0.05). The results show that leucocytes of children with uncomplicated malaria exhibited effective adaptive immune response. This may help to combat initial contact with malaria parasites.
