Anti-MSP-1₁₉ IgM antibodies in children exposed to <i>P. falciparum</i> in Igbo-Ora South western Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria remains a major parasitic disease in Africa, with children being the most affected. There is therefore an urgent need for the development of new effective measures, including vaccines. Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1₁₉ (MSP-1₁₉) is a prime candidate for a blood-stage malaria vaccine. The presence IgM against Plasmodium falciparum has been linked to protection from malaria. This study intends to provide insight into the role of anti-MSP-1₁₉IgM in malaria immunity in children. Blood was collected from 194 children aged 10 days to 15 years in the dry and rainy seasons of 1999. Parasite densities were determined by microscopy. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was used to determine the total IgM. The anti-MSP-1₁₉IgM antibody increased with age in both the dry and the rainy seasons (r_s=0.491 and r_s =0.571 respectively). There was also a positive correlation between anti-MSP-1₁₉IgM antibody and age for P. falciparum positive or negative individuals in the dry and the rainy seasons respectively. The results from this study imply that Anti-MSP-1₁₉IgM may play a protective role in the  anti-malarial immunity of children.

Key Words: Malaria, parasitemia, IgM, Plasmodium falciparum, merozoite surface protein-1₁₉, Age