INCREASED PLASMA-CONCENTRATIONS OF SICAM-1, SVCAM-1 AND SELAM-1 IN PATIENTS WITH PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM OR PLASMODIUM-VIVAX MALARIA AND ASSOCIATION WITH DISEASE SEVERITY

Increased serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molec ule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (sE LAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were de tected in Danish malaria patients infected with sequestering Plasmodiu m falciparum or non-sequestering P. vivax parasites, as well as in pat ients with sepsis or meningitis. Levels of soluble adhesion molecules remained elevated in the P. falciparum patients for several weeks afte r initiation of treatment. Plasma concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 a nd sELAM-1 were higher in Gambian children with severe P. falciparum m alaria than in children with mild malaria. Plasma levels of sVCAM-1 an d sELAM-1 were significantly correlated. Plasma levels of sELAM-1 and sVCAM-1 may reflect endothelial inflammatory reactions and these react ions may be harmful for humans infected with malaria parasites.