Development of natural immunity in Plasmodium falciparum malaria: study of antibody response by Western immunoblotting.

A longitudinal study was carried out in Burkina Faso to investigate the natural development of the immune response to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Three bleedings were carried out before, during, and after the seasonal peak of transmission. Detailed antigen mapping and antibody prevalence of the 248 collected serum samples were established by immunoblotting on the basis of several epidemiological and biological parameters. An improved Western immunoblotting system was used to analyze up to 67 serum samples on each nitrocellulose sheet. This system allowed us to perform the entire study with strictly comparable conditions. Two different blood-stage antigens (exoantigens and somatic antigens) were used to analyze the distribution of different classes and subclasses of immunoglobulins according to the age of the individuals, the presence or absence of a malarial attack, the transmission period, the origin of parasite isolates, and the response to intraerythrocytic stages. Although this analysis emphasizes strong individual variations, reactions with two major antigens of 115 and 103 kDa were especially noted. These antigens induced high antibody levels and prevalences but were probably not involved in protection. The prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies differed by isotype. Most of antigens stimulating IgG production were also responsible for the IgM antibody response. The role played by these antibodies in the development of natural immunity against malaria is discussed.

Longitudinal survey in an endemic region of plasma soluble interleukin-2 receptor and antibody levels in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

A survey involving 81 individuals living in Dafinso and Vallée du Kou no. 4 (near Bobo-Dioulasso), Burkina Faso, was performed in June 1987, August to September 1987, and January 1988, respectively, at the beginning of, during, and after the transmission season of malaria. The clinical longitudinal study during the transmission period allowed us to define three different groups in terms of both age and occurrence of malaria attack (5,000 Plasmodium falciparum per mm3 of blood and axillary fever of greater than 37.7 degrees C) as follows: group 1, persons less than or equal to 15 years old who had at least one malaria attack during the transmission period; group 2, individuals less than or equal to 15 years old who did not have any malaria attacks; and group 3, individuals considered to be protected (adults greater than 15 years old with no malaria attacks). Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels were found to be significantly increased (P less than 0.001) in the first two groups (1,047 +/- 481 U/ml [mean +/- standard deviation]) as compared with the adult group (605 +/- 307 U/ml). Considering all the groups, no significant difference was observed between observation periods. Levels of sIL-2R were inversely correlated (r = -0.39, n = 237, P less than 0.01) with age (range, 4 to 67 years). Negative correlations were also noticed between the levels of sIL-2R and those of antibodies to somatic antigen of P. falciparum (immunoglobulin G [IgG] class [r = -0.33, n = 237, P less than 0.01] and IgM class [r = -0.20, n = 237, P less than 0.05]). IgG antibody levels to somatic antigen were correlated with age, but IgM antibody levels to somatic antigen were not. The possible role played by sIL-2R in effector mechanisms against malaria is discussed.