The ex vivo phenotypic features of circulating leukocyte subsets (CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, NK, NKT, B, B1 and Treg cells) as well as the plasmatic cytokine profile (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF and IFN-γ) were assessed, aiming at establishing patterns of immune response characteristic of primary malaria vs recurrent malaria as compared to endemic controls. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is malaria.