Malaria and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are among the most common infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and disproportionally affect young children. We will investigate Malaria/HBV coinfections at an epidemiological, an immunological and a cellular level. Blood serum of malaria-infected children in Kenya will be analyzed for HBV infection and their immune status. The main question is whether HBV co-infection is associated with severe malaria. To investigate how liver cells react to co-infection with malaria and HBV, and to analyze the immune response they provoke, we will use liver-on-chip technology and the rodent malaria model.
