At peak-infection, more pDC produced IFN-α in response to TLR7 (p = 0.02, Fig. 4B) or TLR9 stimulation (p = 0.08, Fig. 4C), when compared to baseline hence, the ability of pDC to produce IFN-α was not diminished during early P. falciparum blood-stage infection. This evidence concerns the gene TLR9 and infection.