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IgG reactivities against recombinant Rhoptry-Associated Protein-1 (rRAP-1) are associated with mixed Plasmodium infections and protection against disease in Tanzanian children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1999

M. ALIFRANGIS
Affiliation:
Centre for Medical Parasitology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Building 24.2, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Tangensvej 20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
M. M. LEMNGE
Affiliation:
National Institute for Medical Research, Amani Research Centre, P.O. Box 4, Amani, Tanga, Tanzania
R. MOON
Affiliation:
Pharma Division, Preclinical Research, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
M. THEISEN
Affiliation:
Statens Seruminstitut, Klinisk Biokemisk Afdeling, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
I. BYGBJERG
Affiliation:
Centre for Medical Parasitology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Building 24.2, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Tangensvej 20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
R. G. RIDLEY
Affiliation:
Pharma Division, Preclinical Research, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
P. H. JAKOBSEN
Affiliation:
Centre for Medical Parasitology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Building 24.2, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Tangensvej 20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark

Abstract

A cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study was performed in Magoda, Tanzania, an area where malaria is holoendemic. Blood samples were collected from children (1–4 years) and tested for IgG antibody reactivity against 2 recombinant protein fragments of Plasmodium falciparum Rhoptry-Associated Protein-1 (rRAP-1). The data were related to the prevalence of malarial disease and single P. falciparum or mixed Plasmodium infections. Fever ([ges ]37·5 °C) in combination with parasite densities >5000/μl were used to distinguish between children with asymptomatic malaria infections and those with acute clinical disease. Furthermore, C-reactive protein (CRP) was applied as a surrogate marker of malaria morbidity. The prevalence of Plasmodium infections was 96·0%. Eleven children were defined as clinical malaria cases, all with single P. falciparum infections. The density of P. falciparum was significantly lower in children with mixed Plasmodium infections compared to those with single P. falciparum infections. Children with asymptomatic P. falciparum infections had higher IgG reactivities to rRAP-1, compared to IgG reactivities of children with malarial disease. Children with mixed Plasmodium infections generally showed elevated IgG reactivity to rRAP-1, when compared to children with single P. falciparum infections. The possible relationship between mixed species infections, clinical outcome of the disease and antibody responses to RAP-1 is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1999 Cambridge University Press

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