Antibodies from First-Time Malaria Infections in Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Damon P Eisen, Lina Wang, Helene Jouin, E Elsa H Murhandarwati, Casilda G Black, Odile Mercereau-Puijalon, Ross L Coppel
Primary Institution: Royal Melbourne Hospital
Hypothesis
What are the immune responses in previously healthy adults after a primary Plasmodium falciparum infection?
Conclusion
Adults infected with P. falciparum for the first time develop relatively short-lived immune responses that are different from those found in malaria-immune individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- 19 out of 20 patients had antibodies to MSP119.
- Antibodies to MSP1 block 2 were found in only 4 out of 20 patients.
- Functional MSP119 antibodies were present in 9 out of 20 patients.
Takeaway
When adults get malaria for the first time, their bodies make antibodies that don't last long, and these antibodies are different from those made by people who have had malaria many times.
Methodology
Serum samples were collected from twenty travellers with falciparum malaria, and antibodies to seven asexual stage P. falciparum antigens were measured by ELISA.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the selection of participants who were returning travellers.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and focused only on previously healthy adults.
Participant Demographics
Ten male and ten female patients, median age 34 years, with varying histories of malaria exposure.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.2
Statistical Significance
p = 0.2
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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