Abstract
Sepsis is a common disease in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, where malaria is also prevalent. To determine whether Plasmodium infection might enhance susceptibility to endotoxin shock, we used a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Our results indicated that Plasmodium yoelii infection in mice strongly enhanced the susceptibility of the host to develop endotoxin shock. This increased susceptibility to endotoxin shock was correlated with a synergistic effect of Plasmodium and LPS on the secretion of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). TNF contributed mostly to lethality after the dual challenge since neutralization with an anti-TNF antibody provided protection from death. Plasmodium infection also induced an enhancement of the serum levels of LPS soluble ligands, sCD14 and Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein. In this regard, our data confirm that Plasmodium infection can profoundly modify responses to secondary bacteria challenges, resulting in dysregulated cytokine expression and pathological effects. If confirmed in humans, LPS soluble receptors might serve as markers of susceptibility to septic shock.