Characterization of Plasmodium vivax Transmission-Blocking Activity in Low to Moderate Malaria Transmission Settings of the Colombian Pacific Coast

Abstract

Abstract. Malaria infection induces antibodies capable of suppressing the infectivity of gametocytes and gametes, however, little is known about the duration of the antibody response, the parasite specificity, and the role of complement. We report the analyses of the transmission-blocking (TB) activity of sera collected from 105 Plasmodium vivaxinfected and 44 non-infected individuals from a malaria endemic region of Colombia, using a membrane feeding assay in Anopheles albimanus mosquitoes. In infected donors we found that TB activity was antibody dose dependent (35%), lasted for 2-4 months after infection, and in 70% of the cases different P. vivax wild isolates displayed differential susceptibility to blocking antibodies. Additionally, in a number of assays TB was complement-dependent. Twenty-seven percent of non-infected individuals presented TB activity that correlated with antibody titers. Studies here provide preliminary data on factors of great importance for further work on the development of TB vaccines.

Human Host-Derived Cytokines Associated with Plasmodium vivax Transmission from Acute Malaria Patients to Anopheles darlingi Mosquitoes in the Peruvian Amazon

“…Although host antibodies [6][7][8] have been shown to affect parasite infectivity for mosquitoes, transmission inefficiency is still observed in malaria hypoendemic regions where presence of antibody is thought to be low. 2,9 Previous work in Sri Lanka has suggested that humoral factors associated with the malarial paroxism reduces parasite infectivity for mosquitoes. 5,10 In this study, we hypothesized that cell-mediated immunity as assessed by serum cytokines as a biomarker would influence transmission.…”

Malaria transmission blocking immunity and sexual stage vaccines for interrupting malaria transmission in Latin America

“…Although the molecular mechanisms of TBI are not yet clearly understood, sera from individuals in malaria endemic areas are able to block malaria transmission (Mendis et al 1987, Gamage-Mendis et al 1992, Arevalo-Herrera et al 2005a, b, 2011, Smith et al 2011). IgG antibodies purified from these individuals are able to block gamete fertilization and further development of zygotes and ookinetes during the post-fertilization process in the mosquito midgut.…”

“…IgG antibodies purified from these individuals are able to block gamete fertilization and further development of zygotes and ookinetes during the post-fertilization process in the mosquito midgut. These antibodies block the interaction of specific molecules required for gamete interactions during the fertilization process (Lavazec & Bourgouin 2008, Sutherland 2009, Arevalo-Herrera et al 2011). …”

“…TBI responses appear to be short-lived and do not depend on the malaria transmission intensity. In PNG and Colombia it has been estimated that TBI lasts for less than four months, whereas in Mexico and Sri Lanka, which have lower malaria transmission intensities, the reported duration is six months (Premawansa et al 1994, Ramsey et al 1996, Arevalo-Herrera et al 2011). Likewise, the levels of antibodies against Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 presented similar half-life (3 months), but titres could be boosted by exposure to gametocytes in further infections (Bousema et al 2010).…”

“…In these studies, the levels of TB have been determined in both infected and uninfected individuals who have been exposed to P. vivax and P. falciparum , with the latter being more highly prevalent (Ramsey et al 1996, Arevalo-Herrera et al 2005b, 2011). In Mexico, 23% of 104 sera samples studied enhanced transmission and correlated with patients who only had a P. vivax malaria event.…”