Age and Immunity to Malaria
Author Information
Author(s): John Aponte, Clara Menendez, David Schellenberg, Elizeus Kahigwa, Hassan Mshinda, Marcel Tanner, Pedro L. Alonso
Primary Institution: Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clinic/IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Hypothesis
How does age affect the development of immunity to Plasmodium falciparum in children?
Conclusion
Reducing exposure to P. falciparum antigens through chemoprophylaxis early in life can delay immunity acquisition.
Supporting Evidence
- Children receiving malaria prophylaxis had fewer episodes of malaria during the first year.
- After stopping prophylaxis, the incidence of malaria increased significantly in treated children.
- By age 4, treated children had slightly more episodes of clinical malaria but fewer severe malaria episodes.
Takeaway
Giving young children medicine to prevent malaria can help them avoid getting sick at first, but it might make them more likely to get sick later.
Methodology
Randomized controlled trial with 415 infants receiving either malaria prophylaxis or placebo, followed for 4 years.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to loss to follow-up and the small number of deaths recorded.
Limitations
The study's findings may be influenced by local changes in malaria transmission during the study period.
Participant Demographics
Tanzanian infants aged 2 to 12 months at the start of the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.512
Confidence Interval
95% CI: −0.21 to 0.59
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website