Roles of CD8-positive T cells and chemokines in cerebral malaria.

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About 2 million people die each year from complications of malaria infection. The most common form of these fatal complications is called cerebral malaria. For reasons that are not fully understood, the brain of the patient becomes affected. Early after infection there are behavioural changes, progressing to coma. About 20% of people who enter coma with malaria infection, and are treated with anti-malarial drugs, die and the remainder recover, sometimes with slight neurological impairment. One theory to explain cerebral malaria is that is caused by the body's own immunological response against the parasite. Using an experimental model in mice, we will find out whether the immune system cells called CD8-positive T lymphocytes are important in causing the brain complications. We also will find out whether messenger molecules called chemokines are important. From this work we hope to discover better ways of treating cerebral malaria.