Evaluation of the naturally acquired antibody immune response to the Pv200L N-terminal fragment of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 in four areas of the Amazon Region of Brazil

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011 Feb;84(2 Suppl):58-63. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0044.

Abstract

Frequency and levels of IgG antibodies to an N-terminal fragment of the Plasmodium vivax MSP-1 (Pv200L) protein, in individuals naturally exposed to malaria in four endemic areas of Brazil, were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma samples of 261 P. vivax-infected individuals from communities of Macapá, Novo Repartimento, Porto Velho, and Plácido de Castro in the Amazonian region with different malaria transmission intensities. A high mean number of studied individuals (89.3%) presented with antibodies to the Pv200L that correlated with the number of previous malaria infections; there were significant differences in the frequency of the responders (71.9-98.7) and in the antibody levels (1:200-1:51,200) among the four study areas. Results of this study provide evidence that Pv200L is a naturally immunogenic fragment of the PvMSP-1 and is associated with the degree of exposure to parasites. The fine specificity of antibodies to Pv200L is currently being assessed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Malaria, Vivax / epidemiology*
  • Malaria, Vivax / immunology
  • Malaria, Vivax / parasitology
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / chemistry
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / immunology*
  • Plasmodium vivax / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1