Clinical, laboratorial and immunological aspects of severe malaria in children from Guinea-Bissau

Abstract

Malaria is a parasitic disease of which Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of the disease. The immune response against Plasmodium spp. is complex and remains unclear. The present report aimed to better understand the humoral immune response in severe malaria and analyse new immunodominant antigen candidates as possible serological marker in severe malaria in children. This study included children aged 0-16 years from Guinea-Bissau with clinical signs of severe malaria. Serological and immunochemical characterisation of different anti-P. falciparum antibodies were made by ELISA and immunoblotting using a crude protein extract of P. falciparum. Sera from 12 children with severe malaria were analysed. Nine samples were positive for total anti-P. falciparum antibodies, seven for IgM and eight for total IgG anti-P. falciparum. There was a predominance of IgG1 response, suggesting a cytophilic action in severe malaria and a major role of IgG1 over other immunoglobulins. The antigenic profile of P. falciparum showed a consistent immunoblotting pattern of approximately 180 kDa, 100 kDa and around 50-40 kDa. The serological reactivity found in protein bands makes them as immunodominant antigens and promising candidates for serological markers in the context of severe malaria.

La malaria en Colombia, la antesala a la eliminación

“…Por otro lado, anteriormente los casos de malaria complicada eran principalmente causados por P. falciparum y la literatura mundial ha clasificado a este parásito como el principal causante de los casos fatales de malaria (7,8), sin embargo, en Colombia en el 2019 el mayor número de casos de malaria complicada es causado por P. vivax, lo que concuerda con los reportes de casos de malaria complicada atribuidos a esta especie en otros países de América Latina (9)(10)(11)(12); y adicionalmente en el país durante 2019 se registraron 3 muertes causadas por P. vivax.…”

The Epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in the Bijagos Islands of Guinea-Bissau

“… 22 – 25 Early antibody response in children may also play a role resulting in severe malaria outcomes. 26 Socioeconomic status (SES) was not found to be associated with parasitemia. Previous studies consistently associate lower SES with high infection rates.…”

Immunological and Anti-oxidant Profiles of Malarial Children in Abuja, Nigeria

“…Of the six malariacausing species of the protozoa -Plasmodium, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) accounted for most morbidities and consequently, highest mortality rates in Africa and other high-risk regions of the world [5,6]. Therefore, infection with P. falciparum requires quick recognition, proper treatment and effective patient management [7].…”