Breadth and Magnitude of Antibody Responses to MultiplePlasmodium falciparumMerozoite Antigens Are Associated with Protection from Clinical Malaria

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.01585-07
• Publication Date: 2008-03-04T01:35:04Z
• Authors: Faith H. A. Osier; Gregory Fegan; Spencer D. Polley; Linda Murungi; Federica Verra; Kevin K. A. Tetteh; Brett Lowe; Tabitha Mwangi; Peter C. Bull; Alan W. Thomas; David R. Cavanagh; Jana S. McBride; David E. Lanar; Margaret J. Macki...; David J. Conway; Kevin Marsh
• Keywords: Merozoite surface protein; Antibody titer

Individuals living in areas where malaria is endemic are repeatedly exposed to many different parasite antigens. Studies on naturally acquired antibody-mediated immunity clinical have largely focused the presence of responses individual antigens and their associations with decreased morbidity. We hypothesized that breadth (number important targets which antibodies were made) magnitude (antibody level measured a random serum sample) antibody response predictors protection from malaria. analyzed five leading Plasmodium falciparum merozoite-stage vaccine candidate antigens, schizont extract, Kenyan children monitored for uncomplicated 6 months (n = 119). Serum levels apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) merozoite surface protein (MSP-1 block 2, MSP-2, MSP-3) inversely related probability developing malaria, but MSP-1(19) erythrocyte binding (EBA-175) not. The risk was also associated increasing specificities, none who simultaneously had high or more experiencing episode (17/119; 15%; P 0.0006). Particular combinations (AMA1, strongly predictive than others. results validated larger, separate case-control study whose end point severe enough warrant hospital admission 387). These findings suggest under natural exposure, may result titers multiple antigenic support idea testing combination blood-stage vaccines optimized induce similar profiles.