HIV and Malaria in Pregnancy
Author Information
Author(s): Keen Jessica, Serghides Lena, Ayi Kodjo, Patel Samir N, Ayisi John, van Eijk Anne, Steketee Richard, Udhayakumar Venkatachalam, Kain Kevin C
Primary Institution: Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Hypothesis
VSA-PAM-specific IgG confers protection by promoting opsonic phagocytosis of PAM isolates and that HIV infection impairs this response.
Conclusion
HIV infection may increase the susceptibility of multigravid women to PAM by impairing the opsonic phagocytosis mechanism.
Supporting Evidence
- Plasma from HIV-negative multigravid women promoted opsonic phagocytosis of CSA-binding PEs.
- HIV-infected multigravid women had significantly lower plasma opsonizing activity.
- Lower levels of VSA-PAM-specific IgG1 and IgG3 were found in HIV-infected women.
Takeaway
Women who are pregnant and have HIV may have a harder time fighting off malaria because their bodies can't clear the malaria parasites as well.
Methodology
The study assessed the ability of VSA-PAM-specific IgG to promote opsonic phagocytosis using plasma from HIV-negative and HIV-infected women.
Limitations
The study used a laboratory isolate of parasites instead of placental isolates, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Participants included primigravid and multigravid women, some of whom were HIV-infected, living in a malaria-endemic area in Kenya.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.006
Confidence Interval
46 [IQR 18–195] versus 251 [IQR 93–397]
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website