CD4 and infection: Compared to those with asymptomatic infections and the uninfected group, children with symptomatic malaria demonstrated a significant reduction in the proportions (Fig. 1a–f) and absolute numbers (Additional file 2: Fig. S2a-f) of peripheral blood total T cells, CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, and CD19 + B cells (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons).