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

TY - JOUR

T1 - IgG reactivities against recombinant Rhoptry-Associated Protein-1 (rRAP-1) are associated with mixed Plasmodium infections and protection against disease in Tanzanian children

AU - Alifrangis, M

AU - Lemnge, M M

AU - Moon, R

AU - Theisen, Michael

AU - Bygbjerg, I

AU - Ridley, R G

AU - Jakobsen, P H

N1 - Keywords: Age Factors; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; C-Reactive Protein; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endemic Diseases; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Infant; Malaria; Malaria, Falciparum; Morbidity; Parasitemia; Plasmodium malariae; Protozoan Proteins; Species Specificity; Tanzania

PY - 1999

Y1 - 1999

N2 - 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 (> or = 37.5 degrees C) in combination with parasite densities > 5000/microliter 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.

AB - 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 (> or = 37.5 degrees C) in combination with parasite densities > 5000/microliter 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.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 10581610

SN - 0031-1820

VL - 119 ( Pt 4)

SP - 337

EP - 342

JO - Parasitology

JF - Parasitology

ER -