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. 2005 Sep 29:4:48.
doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-4-48.

Cytophilic antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum glutamate rich protein are associated with malaria protection in an area of holoendemic transmission

John P A Lusingu  1 , Lasse S Vestergaard, Michael Alifrangis, Bruno P Mmbando, Michael Theisen, Andrew Y Kitua, Martha M Lemnge, Thor G Theander
Affiliations

Cytophilic antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum glutamate rich protein are associated with malaria protection in an area of holoendemic transmission

John P A Lusingu et al. Malar J. .

Abstract

Background: Several studies conducted in areas of medium or low malaria transmission intensity have found associations between malaria immunity and plasma antibody levels to glutamate rich protein (GLURP). This study was conducted to analyse if a similar relationship could be documented in an area of intense malaria transmission.

Methods: A six month longitudinal study was conducted in an area of holoendemic malaria transmission in north-eastern Tanzania, where the incidence of febrile malaria decreased sharply by the age of three years, and anaemia constituted a significant part of the malaria disease burden. Plasma antibodies to glutamate rich protein (GLURP) were analysed and related with protection against malaria morbidity in models correcting for the effect of age.

Results: The risk of febrile malaria episodes was reduced significantly in children with measurable anti-GLURP IgG1 antibodies at enrollment [adjusted odds ratio: 0.39 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.99); P = 0.047]. Interestingly, there was an inverse relationship between the plasma anti-GLURP IgG1 and IgG3 levels and the levels of parasitaemia at enrollment. However, anti-GLURP IgG2 and IgG4 levels were not associated with reduction in parasite density. Similarly, antibody levels were not associated with haemoglobin levels or anaemia risk.

Conclusion: Cytophilic IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies against R0-GLURP may contribute to the control of parasite multiplication and reduction in febrile malaria incidence in children living in an area of intense malaria transmission.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age-specific IgG responses to recombinant R0-GLURP in three villages: Mgome (high malaria transmission), Ubiri (moderate malaria transmission) and Magamba (low malaria transmission). The levels are presented as arbitrary units on a logarithmic scale. Box plots illustrate medians with 25th, 75th and whiskers for 10th and 90th percentiles including outliers (5th/95th percentiles). Lines with filled triangles represent proportion of responders in percentages.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age-specific IgG subclass responses to recombinant R0-GLURP in Mgome (high transmission village). Panels A, B, C and D represent IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 subclasses, respectively. The levels are presented as arbitrary units on a logarithmic scale. Box plots illustrate medians with 25th, 75th and whiskers for 10th and 90th percentiles including outliers for each IgG subclass. Lines with filled triangles represent prevalence of responders in percentages.
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