- © 2006 Marshfield Clinic
Analysis of Human Antibodies to Erythrocyte Binding Antigen 175 Peptide 4 of Plasmodium falciparum
- Fousseyni S. Touré, PhD,
- Philippe Deloron, MD, PhD and
- Florence Migot-Nabias, PhD
- Fousseyni S. Touré, PhD, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, BP 769 Franceville, Gabon.
- Philippe Deloron, MD, PhD, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, BP 769 Franceville, Gabon and UR 010, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Paris, France.
- Florence Migot-Nabias, PhD, UR 010, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Cotonou, Bénin.
- Reprint Requests:
Fousseyni S. Touré, PhD, Centre International de Recherches, Médicales de Franceville, BP 769 Franceville, Gabon, Tel: 00 241 06615636; Fax: 00 241 677095; E-mail: fousseyni{at}yahoo.fr
Abstract
Background: The IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies are considered cytophilic and protective against Plasmodium falciparum, whereas IgG2 and IgG4 are thought to block protective mechanisms.
Objectives: The main objective was to measure antibodies directed against erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (EBA-175) peptide 4 and analyze the relationship between such antibodies and clinical malaria attack.
Methods: Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a retrospective analysis of naturally acquired antibodies to synthetic peptide from EBA-175 peptide 4 has been carried out in 158 school children from the village of Dienga in Gabon.
Results: The overall prevalence rates of antibodies to EBA-175 peptide 4 were 85.2%, 66.8%, 52.6%, 71.6% and 64.0% for total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4, respectively. Protection from clinical malaria, determined after a prospective 1-year study, was associated with the levels of IgG and IgG1 antibodies that increased with age.
Conclusion: Together, these data suggest that age/exposure-related acquisition of anti-EBA-175 antibodies may contribute to the development of clinically protective immunity and could be taken into account in malaria control strategies when they are confirmed.
