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ANTIBODIES TO PLASMODIUM VIVAX APICAL MEMBRANE ANTIGEN 1: PERSISTENCE AND CORRELATION WITH MALARIA TRANSMISSION INTENSITY

The antibody responses to the apical membrane antigen 1 of the Plasmodium vivax (PvAMA-1) were investigated in subjects living in areas of Brazil with different levels of malaria transmission. The prevalence and the levels of IgG to PvAMA-1 increased with the time of exposure. The frequency of a positive response and the mean IgG level were higher in areas where malaria prevalence was more intense, especially among non-infected subjects exposed to moderate transmission over a period of 20 years. The proportions and levels of IgG1and IgG3 isotypes were significantly higher among those subjects with long-term exposure. Antibodies, mainly IgG1, to PvAMA-1 persisted for seven years among subjects briefly exposed to malaria in an outbreak outside the Brazilian malaria-endemic area. These data show the highly immunogenic properties of PvAMA-1 and emphasize its possible use as a malaria vaccine candidate.

Received June 14, 2005. Accepted for publication December 1, 2005.

Financial support: This study was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (grant no. CBB2323/97).

^* Address correspondence to Érika M. Braga, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31279-901 Belo Horizonte, Minais Gerais, Brazil. E-mail: embraga{at}icb.ufmg.br

Authors’ addresses: Cristiane G. Morais and Érika M. Braga, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Irene S. Soares, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, Bloco 17, 05508-900, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Luzia H. Carvalho and Antoniana U. Krettli, Laboratório de Malária, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/FIOCRUZ, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, Barro Preto, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cor Jesus F. Fontes, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Júlio Müller, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Rua L S/N, Jardim Alvorada, 78070-150, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Reprint requests: Érika M. Braga, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, 31279-901 Belo Horizonte, Minais Gerais, Brazil, Telephone: 55-31-3499-2876, Fax: 55-31-3499-2970, E-mail: embraga{at}icb.ufmg.br.