The age-specific prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum in migrants to Irian Jaya is not attributable to agglutinating antibody repertoire.

Journal article

Previous observations have shown that individuals migrating from a malaria free area to a malaria endemic region in North Eastern Irian Jaya quickly acquire anti-parasite immunity, in an age-dependent manner. Sera from migrants and long-term residents in this area were examined for their ability to agglutinate a range of Plasmodium falciparum isolates and to disrupt erythrocyte rosettes. Antibody responses to merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) and ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) were also determined. The range of isolates agglutinated by sera from the migrants approached that seen in long-term residents. No difference was found between migrant adults and children in the range of agglutinating antibody, size of agglutinates, nor disruption of rosettes. Anti-MSP2 and anti-RESA antibodies were the only factors examined which showed a correlation with age. We conclude that although antibody to parasite neoantigens expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes may play a role in the acquisition of immunity, the humoral response to other P. falciparum antigens is more likely to account for the age-dependent prevalence of parasitaemia observed.

Authors: Reeder, J; Davern, K; Baird, J; Rogerson, S; Brown, G

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Acta tropica
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 163-173
• Publication date: 1997-05-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0001-706x(97)00661-x
• EISSN: 1873-6254
• ISSN: 0001-706X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Emigration and Immigration; Adult; Indonesia; Antigens, Protozoan; Malaria, Falciparum; Prevalence; Protozoan Proteins; Age Factors; Humans; Child; Agglutination Tests