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

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Storti-Melo, Luciane M. ; Souza-Neiras, Wanessa C. ; Cassiano, Gustavo C. ; Taveira, Leonardo C. ; Cordeiro, Antonio J. ; Couto, Vanja S. C. A. ; Povoa, Marinete M. ; Cunha, Maristela G. ; Echeverry, Diana M. ; Rossit, Andrea R. B. ; Arevalo-Herrera, Myriam ; Herrera, Socrates ; Machado, Ricardo L. D.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; v. 84, n. 2, p. 6-pg., 2011-02-01.

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 Macapa, Novo Repartimento, Porto Velho, and Placido 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. (AU)