Fig. 5

Association between T-lymphocyte subsets, plasmatic IL-10 levels and number of recurrent malaria episodes. Spearman correlation analysis was applied to identify the association between the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T-cells (ratio) and the plasmatic IL-10 levels (pg/mL) for a endemic controls, b primary malaria and c recurrent malaria. Assessment of the IL-10 levels related to the previous exposition to the malaria. Additional analysis of IL-10 levels (pg/mL) in malaria patients categorized according to the number of malaria episodes (primary, 2–3 recurrent and >4 recurrent episodes) as compared to endemic controls were also carried out (d). Data are displayed in boxplot format (min to max, IQR25-IQR75 and median). Multiple comparisons amongst clinical 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