Maximum likelihood factor analysis in malaria cytokines analysis and modelling

A maximum likelihood factor analysis (MLFA) of the dynamics of the human immune system in malaria, based on the observation of a few cytokine in plasma, suggests that an increased overproduction of cytokines: IL-12, IL-6, IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-5, over the cytokines: TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-1beta has protective effects against severe malaria and cerebral malaria. According to a simplified model of the human adaptive immunity and the MLFA results, basal levels of cytokine IL-6 may play a key role in the favorable resolution of a malaria infection.