Parasite infectivity and immunity to Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in Gambian children

• Published in: Parasite immunology 2004-04, Vol.26 (4), p.159-165
• Main Authors: Drakeley, C. J., Eling, W., Teelen, K., Bousema, J. T., Sauerwein, R., Greenwood, B. M., Targett, G. A. T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Antibodies, Protozoan - immunology; Antigens, Protozoan - chemistry; Antigens, Protozoan - immunology; Carrier State - immunology; Carrier State - parasitology; Carrier State - transmission; Child, Preschool; Culicidae - parasitology; gametes; gametocytes; Humans; Infant; malaria; Malaria, Falciparum - immunology; Malaria, Falciparum - parasitology; Malaria, Falciparum - transmission; Molecular Sequence Data; P. falciparum; Peptides - immunology; Pfs230; Pfs48; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium falciparum - growth & development; Plasmodium falciparum - immunology; Plasmodium falciparum - pathogenicity; transmission‐blocking immunity
• ISSN: 0141-9838; 1365-3024
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00696.x

SUMMARY Immunity to the sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum can be induced during natural infections. Characterization of this immunity may facilitate the design of a transmission‐blocking vaccine (TBV). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and serological correlates of functional transmission‐blocking immunity in Gambian children (aged 1–4 years old) who were P. falciparum gametocyte carriers. Serological assays showed 100% response to fixed, whole parasites but only 42% to live gametes. Responses to the antigens Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 were 54·1% and 37·3%, respectively, in an IgG1 ELISA. 14/55 sera were capable of reducing the infectivity of laboratory isolate NF54 in a standard membrane‐feeding assay (SMFA). This activity was strongly correlated with IgG1 responses to Pfs48/45 (r = 0·49, P