Memory CD8+ T cell compartment associated with delayed onset of Plasmodium falciparum infection and better parasite control in sickle-cell trait children.

This study shows that HbAS children develop a larger memory CD8+ T cell compartment than HbAA children, and associates this compartment with better control of subsequent onset of infection and parasite density. Our data suggest that central memory CD8+ T cells may play an important role in the relative protection against malaria experienced by HbAS individuals, and further work to investigate this is warranted.