The immuno-epidemiology of pregnancy-associated Plasmodium falciparum malaria: a variant surface antigen-specific perspective

TY - JOUR

T1 - The immuno-epidemiology of pregnancy-associated Plasmodium falciparum malaria: a variant surface antigen-specific perspective

AU - Hviid, L

N1 - Keywords: Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antigens, Protozoan; Antigens, Surface; Female; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Plasmodium falciparum; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - Women living in areas of intense P. falciparum transmission have acquired substantial protective immunity to malaria when they reach childbearing age. Nevertheless, pregnancies in such areas are associated with substantial malaria-related morbidity and mortality, particularly among women of low parity. The parity-dependency of susceptibility to malaria in pregnant women suggests that protective immunity to this type of malaria can be developed. However, until recently it has been poorly understood why the clinical protection against malaria, which young women in endemic areas acquire well before their first pregnancy, is suddenly rendered inadequate when they become pregnant, only to be regained during the course of a few pregnancies. In this article, I discuss some recent immuno-epidemiological studies of pregnancy-associated malaria, which, in combination with the generally improved understanding of how protective immunity to P. falciparum malaria operates and is acquired, have provided important insights into this enigma.

AB - Women living in areas of intense P. falciparum transmission have acquired substantial protective immunity to malaria when they reach childbearing age. Nevertheless, pregnancies in such areas are associated with substantial malaria-related morbidity and mortality, particularly among women of low parity. The parity-dependency of susceptibility to malaria in pregnant women suggests that protective immunity to this type of malaria can be developed. However, until recently it has been poorly understood why the clinical protection against malaria, which young women in endemic areas acquire well before their first pregnancy, is suddenly rendered inadequate when they become pregnant, only to be regained during the course of a few pregnancies. In this article, I discuss some recent immuno-epidemiological studies of pregnancy-associated malaria, which, in combination with the generally improved understanding of how protective immunity to P. falciparum malaria operates and is acquired, have provided important insights into this enigma.

U2 - 10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00733.x

DO - 10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00733.x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 15771683

SN - 0141-9838

VL - 26

SP - 477

EP - 486

JO - Parasite Immunology

JF - Parasite Immunology

IS - 11-12

ER -