Abstract
BackgroundMalaria transmission in most of Latin America can be considered as controlled. In such a scenario, parameters of baseline immunity to malaria antigens are of specific interest with respect to future malaria eradication efforts.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in two indigenous population groups in Amazonas/Venezuela. Data from the regional malaria documentation system were extracted and participants from the ethnic groups of the Guahibo (n = 180) and Piaroa (n = 295) were investigated for the presence of Plasmodium parasites and naturally acquired antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum antigens in serum. The GMZ2 vaccine candidate proteins MSP3 and GLURP were chosen as serological markers.ResultsThe incidence of P. falciparum in both communities was found to be less than 2%, and none of the participants harboured P. falciparum at the time of the cross-sectional. Nearly a quarter of the participants (111/475; 23,4%) had positive antibody titres to at least one of the antigens. 53/475 participants (11.2%) were positive for MSP3, and 93/475 participants (19.6%) were positive for GLURP. High positive responses were detected in 36/475 participants (7.6%) and 61/475 participants (12.8%) for MSP3 and GLURP, respectively. Guahibo participants had significantly higher antibody titres than Piaroa participants.ConclusionsConsidering the low incidence of P. falciparum, submicroscopical infections may explain the comparatively high anti-P. falciparum antibody concentrations.
Highlights
Malaria transmission in most of Latin America can be considered as controlled
As drug resistance continues to be a major problem, an effective malaria vaccine against P. falciparum would be a powerful tool in the control of malaria [5,6]
The vaccine candidate GMZ2 is a fusion protein of P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) and glutamate rich protein (GLURP), which has been evaluated during phase I trials as a promising vaccine candidate in Germany and Africa [7,8]
Summary
Malaria transmission in most of Latin America can be considered as controlled. In such a scenario, parameters of baseline immunity to malaria antigens are of specific interest with respect to future malaria eradication efforts. The vaccine candidate GMZ2 is a fusion protein of P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) and glutamate rich protein (GLURP), which has been evaluated during phase I trials as a promising vaccine candidate in Germany and Africa [7,8] Antibodies against both antigens have been shown to provide partial protection in Saimiri sciureus monkeys [9] and were associated with protection from human clinical malaria [10]. No data are available in respect to naturally acquired immunity to MSP3 and GLURP from populations of Latin America [11] This is of interest since a malaria vaccine such as GMZ2 might be used in other continents than Africa where exposure to P. falciparum is low
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