Immune interactions in malaria co-infections with other endemic infectious diseases: implications for the development of improved disease interventions

Today targeted research efforts are in progress with the goal to develop vaccines, microbicides, new drugs and alternative treatments for some of the neglected infectious diseases (NIDs). Until now the world is far from having effective cures and/or prophylactic vaccines in place. People living in endemic areas generally are more skewed towards a Th2 profile (i.e. anti-inflammatory) that could greatly affect the induction of an inflammatory Th2 type response needed to combat many infectious microorganisms. Despite this, very little is today known about how co-infections with NID can affect the outcome of the different diseases and the possibilities for prophylactic vaccination and treatment. Thus, if we are to intervene successfully to eradicate infections or prevent immune pathology either by vaccination or other immune intervention therapies it will be crucial to understand how co-infections with different pathogens affect the adaptive immunity and the establishment of immunological memory The aim of this paper is to review what is known about co-infection with malaria and certain other pathogens.