The subgroup analysis of study designs revealed that uncomplicated malaria demonstrated higher mean IL-4 levels than healthy controls in case–control studies (pooled MD 2.79 pg/mL, 95% CI 0.70–4.87 pg/mL, I2 92.88%, four studies) and a cohort study (MD 70.2 pg/mL, 95% CI 37.08–103.32 pg/mL). Here, IL4 is linked to malaria.