Abstract
BackgroundAntibodies against Region III-V of the erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA) 175 (EBA175RIII-V) have been suggested to provide protection from malaria in a natural infection. However, the quality and quantity of naturally induced antibodies to EBA175RIII-V has not been fully characterized in different cohorts of Ghanaians. This study sought to determine the characteristics of antibodies against EBA175RIII-V in asymptomatic adults and children living in two communities of varying P. falciparum parasite prevalence in southern Ghana.MethodsMicroscopic evaluation of thick and thin blood smears was used to identify asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum carriage and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELISA) used to assess antibody concentrations and avidity.ResultsParasite carriage estimated by microscopy in Obom was 35.6% as opposed to 3.5% in Asutsuare. Levels of IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 against EBA175RIII-V in the participants from Obom were significantly higher (P < 0.05, Dunn’s Multiple Comparison test) than those in Asutsuare. However the relative avidity of IgG antibodies against EBA175RIII-V was significantly higher (P < 0.0001, Mann Whitney test) in Asutsuare than in Obom.ConclusionsPeople living in communities with limited exposure to P. falciparum parasites have low quantities of high avidity antibodies against EBA175RIII-V whilst people living in communities with high exposure to the parasites have high quantities of age-dependent but low avidity antibodies against EBA175RIII-V.
Highlights
The asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) are partly responsible for the pathology associated with malaria and subsequently are the focus of malaria treatment regimens as well as the focus of malaria vaccine research
Antibodies specific for EBA175 RIII-V have been shown to be associated with protection from malaria in symptomatic cases [9]
Study site and population The cross-sectional study conducted in June 2016, recruited adults and children aged between 2 and 75 years from two semi-rural communities, Obom and Asutsuare, both within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana as part of a large study which aims to identify a number of factors that influence asymptomatic P. falciparum carriage in high and low malaria transmission settings in Ghana
Summary
The asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) are partly responsible for the pathology associated with malaria and subsequently are the focus of malaria treatment regimens as well as the focus of malaria vaccine research. The merozoite is the only extracellular stage of the parasites erythrocytic life-cycle, making merozoite surface antigens promising malaria vaccine candidates. One such candidate is the erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA) 175 (EBA 175, Pf3D7_0731500), PfEBA-175 has been shown to play a Antibodies induced against diverse antigenic components of the erythrocytic parasite are important mediators of anti-disease immunity [3]. Healer et al, [10] in immunization studies have shown that antibodies induced by a recombinant RIII-V inhibit merozoites invasion. Antibodies against Region III-V of the erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA) 175 (EBA175RIII-V) have been suggested to provide protection from malaria in a natural infection. This study sought to determine the characteristics of antibodies against EBA175RIII-V in asymptomatic adults and children living in two communities of varying P. falciparum parasite prevalence in southern Ghana
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