Contrasting functions of IgG and IgE antimalarial antibodies in uncomplicated and severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Abstract

Abstract. Plasmodial infection results in a significant elevation of the blood concentrations of immunoglobulins including IgE. Two well-characterized groups of adult Thai patients with either uncomplicated or severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria were studied over a period of four weeks. The mean parasitemias were approximately three-fold higher in patients with severe malaria than in those with uncomplicated disease. The mean concentrations of both total IgG and IgG antiplasmodial antibodies tended to be highest in the group with uncomplicated disease while total IgE and IgE antibodies were higher in the group with severe disease. The IgE antibodies detected in approximately 65% of the patients were positively correlated to parasitemia. These results suggest that antiplasmodial IgG antibodies are involved in reducing the severity of P. falciparum malaria, while IgE antibodies may contribute to the pathogenesis of this infection.

IgE deposition in brain microvessels and on parasitized erythrocytes from cerebral malaria patients.

“…Whether or not it does so in other forms of severe malaria remains to be established. However, the fact that the concentrations of IgE anti-malaria antibodies are also higher in severe malaria (non-CM) than in uncomplicated malaria 13,29 suggests that this may be the case. It should be pointed out that this does not exclude the possibility that these antibodies may also be protective as suggested by the negative correlation between IgE anti-malaria antibodies and placental parasitemia.…”

Studies on Plasmodium falciparum isotypic antibodies and numbers of IL-4 and IFN-γ secreting cells in paired maternal cord blood from South West Cameroon

“…Malarial-specific IgG, IgM and IgE antibodies have been detected in immune individuals inhabiting malaria endemic areas. [37][38][39] While the occurrence of IgM in cord blood has been documented, there have been limited studies on the presence of other isotypes and the specificity of the Igs detected. In Gabon, P. falciparum-specific IgM in was detected in 11.9% of cord serum.…”

Immunogenetic Control of Antibody Responsiveness in a Malaria Endemic Area

“…Malaria infection in humans has also been associated with an increase in total and malaria-specific IgE production [2]. Malaria-specific IgE has previously been associated with severity of malaria disease [2] and with parasitemia [3], although recent results from the current population demonstrate that high malaria-specific IgE levels in asymptomatic individuals are associated with reduced risk for subsequent clinical episodes [4]. The significance of the elevated total IgE in severe malaria infection is unknown [5].…”