TNF and malaria: Independent from the immunologic stimuli caused by acute malaria, which involves increased pro-inflammatory levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-1820,21, inflammation induced by the malaria parasite and the host’s production of ROS can give rise to pronounced DNA damage45, with telomeres being preferential targets for oxidative damage-leading to a senescence- associated inflammatory response, including elevated IL-6, IL-8 and INF-γ levels46.