Apr 25, 2009

Health Highlights: April 24, 2009

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Specialized Immune Cells Linked to Malaria: Study
Article Controls

Emailemail

imageprint

imagereprint

imagenewsletter

imagecomments

imageshare

imagedel.icio.us

imageDigg It!

imageyahoo

imageFacebook

imagerss
Yahoo! Buzz

A specialized type of immune cell that may help explain why malaria kills some people and not others has been identified by Australian researchers.

Their study of 33 malaria-infected adults in Indonesia found high levels of highly suppressive regulatory T-cells in the blood of those with severe malaria but not in those who weren't as sick, the Associated Press reported.

The findings were published in the journal PLoS Pathogens. The next step is to determine whether these immune cells actually cause more severe malaria or are caused by having a severe case of the disease.

"Our results indicate that severe malaria is accompanied by the induction of highly suppressive T-reg cells that can promote parasite growth," said lead researcher Magdalena Plebanski, of Monash University, the AP reported. Vaccine studies should carefully examine whether recipients develop this type of immune reaction, Plebanski suggested.

-----

Jay Leno 'Just Fine' After Checking Into Hospital: Report

No comments: