IgG isotype to C-terminal 19 kDa of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1 among subjects with different levels of exposure to malaria in Brazil

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) Vol. 95; no. 6; pp. 420 - 426
• Main Authors: Morais, Cristiane G, Soares, Irene S, Carvalho, Luzia H, Fontes, Cor Jesus F, Krettli, Antoniana U, Braga, Erika Martins
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.04.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Brazil - epidemiology; Disease Outbreaks; Endemic Diseases; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin Isotypes - blood; Malaria, Falciparum - epidemiology; Malaria, Falciparum - immunology; Male; Merozoite Surface Protein 1 - genetics; Merozoite Surface Protein 1 - immunology; Plasmodium vivax - immunology; Brazil
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1314-x

Subclasses of antibodies to the C-terminal 19 kDa fragment of the Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP-1(19)) were assessed among subjects with distinct degrees of malaria exposure in the Brazilian endemic area. The PvMSP-1(19) specific IgG1and IgG3 levels were low among subjects with long-term exposure (approximately 19 years) when compared to subjects less and sporadically exposed (<1 year). No statistically difference was observed in IgG subclass distribution of antibodies from symptomatic Plasmodium-infected patients, asymptomatic parasite carriers and non-infected subjects living in a same mesoendemic area. Subjects briefly exposed to a P. vivax outbreak living in a rural community outside the endemic area were also evaluated to measure the persistence of specific antibodies. IgG anti-PvMSP-1(19) antibodies persisted in 40% of the subjects who had had malarial symptoms 8 months before and decreased after 7 years (28%). Specific IgG1 were the predominant isotype. Our study emphasizes the highly immunogenicity of the PvMSP-1(19) and points toward its possible use as a potential malaria vaccine.