Deletion of C-reactive protein ameliorates experimental cerebral malaria?

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) level correlates with parasitemia and severity of malaria, but whether this reflects causality remains unknown. METHODS: Using CRP-transgenic and CRP-deficient mice we compared the onset and severity of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA). RESULTS: CRP-deficient mice were most resistant to ECM. CONCLUSIONS: CRP might contribute to the development of cerebral malaria, rather than protect against it.