Fig. 3

Ex vivo phenotypic features of circulating T-cell subsets. The levels and activation status of T-cell subsets were assessed in patients with primary malaria, recurrent malaria as well as endemic controls, including: a CD4⁺ T-cells; b CD4⁺CD69⁺ T-cells; c %CD4⁺CD69⁺ T-cells, d CD8⁺ T-cells; e CD8⁺CD69⁺ T-cells; f %CD8⁺CD69⁺ T-cells. Data are displayed in boxplot format (min to max, IQR25-IQR75 and median) of absolute counts (a, b, d and e) and percentage (c and f) of T-cell subsets. Multiple comparisons amongst groups were performed by Kruskal–Wallis, followed by Dunn’s post-test. Significance differences are represented by *p < 0.05; **p < 0.005 and ***p < 0.0005