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T R Jones

Publications and source records attributed to T R Jones.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Tetracycline repressor-regulated gene repression in recombinant human cytomegalovirus.

The tetracycline repressor (TetR)-regulated gene expression system from Escherichia coli was used to control gene expression in recombinant human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). To adapt the TetR system in HCMV, derivatives of the viral US11 (early) gene promoter, which controls the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene, were constructed by systematic insertion of the tetracycline operator (tetO) sequences. Gene expression from constructs containing two or three appropriately placed tetO sequences adjacent to the TATA box were efficiently repressed by a TetR-VP16 fusion protein (tTA) in a transient expression system. Efficient repression (50- to 120-fold) also occurred in tTA-expressing stably transfected human cells which were infected with recombinant HCMV containing a US11 promoter surrounded by three tetO sequences. The tTA-mediated gene repression was relieved in the presence of 1 microgram of tetracycline per ml. The results of this study are significant in three respects. (i) This is the first demonstration that a TetR-derived protein can be used to efficiently repress gene expression in a mammalian system. (ii) Efficient repression was dependent on the presence of the transcriptional activation domain from the herpes simplex virus type 1 VP16 protein. (iii) The ability to regulate gene expression in a controlled fashion in order to elucidate viral gene function is an important development in the HCMV field. The tTA-mediated gene repression system may be extremely useful for creating host-range mutants in essential genes in order to study their role in the HCMV replicative cycle, a system that is otherwise exceedingly difficult to genetically dissect.

Base Sequence↗

Multiple independent loci within the human cytomegalovirus unique short region down-regulate expression of major histocompatibility complex class I heavy chains.

Reduction of major histocompatibility complex class I cell surface expression occurs in adenovirus-, herpes simplex virus-, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-, and murine cytomegalovirus-infected cell systems. Recently, it was demonstrated that the down-regulation mediated by HCMV infection is posttranslational, as a result of increased turnover of class I heavy chains in the endoplasmic reticulum (M. F. C. Beersma, M. J. E. Bijlmakers, and H. L. Ploegh, J. Immunol. 151:4455-4464, 1993; Y. Yamashita, K. Shimokata, S. Saga, S. Mizuno, T. Tsurumi, and Y. Nishiyama, J. Virol. 68:7933-7943, 1994. To identify HCMV genes involved in class I regulation, we screened our bank of HCMV deletion mutants for this phenotype. A mutant with a 9-kb deletion in the S component of the HCMV genome (including open reading frames IRS1 to US9 and US11) failed to down-regulate class I heavy chains. By examining the effects of smaller deletions within this portion of the HCMV genome, a 7-kb region containing at least nine open reading frames was shown to contain the genes required for reduction in heavy-chain expression. Furthermore, it was determined that at least two independent loci within the 7-kb region were able to cause class I heavy-chain down-regulation. One of these, US11, encodes a 32-kDa glycoprotein which causes down-regulation of class I heavy chains in the absence of other viral gene products. Hence, a specific function associated with a phenotype of the HCMV replicative cycle has been mapped to a dispensable gene region. These loci may be important for evasion of the host's immune response and viral persistence.

Astrocytoma↗

Pharmacology of montelukast sodium (Singulair), a potent and selective leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist.

Montelukast sodium (Singulair), also known as MK-0476 (1-(((1(R)-(3-(2-(7-chloro-2-quinolinyl)-(E)-ethenyl)phenyl)(3-2-(1- hydroxy-1-methylethyl)phenyl)propyl)thio)methyl)cyclopropane) acetic acid sodium salt, is a potent and selective inhibitor of [3H]leukotriene D4 specific binding in guinea pig lung (Ki 0.18 +/- 0.03 nM), sheep lung (Ki 4 nM), and dimethylsulfoxide-differentiated U937 cell plasma membrane preparations (Ki 0.52 +/- 0.23 nM), but it was essentially inactive versus [3H]leukotriene C4 specific binding in dimethylsulfoxide-differentiated U937 cell membranes (IC50 10 microM) and [3H]leukotriene B4 specific binding in THP-1 cell membranes (IC50 40 microM). Montelukast also inhibited specific binding of [3H]leukotriene D4 to guinea pig lung in the presence of human serum albumin, human plasma, and squirrel monkey plasma with Ki values of 0.21 +/- 0.08, 0.19 +/- 0.02, and 0.26 +/- 0.02 nM, respectively. Functionally, montelukast antagonized contractions of guinea pig trachea induced by leukotriene D4 (pA2 value 9.3; slope 0.8). In contrast, montelukast (16 microM) failed to antagonize contractions of guinea pig trachea induced by leukotriene C4 (45 mM serine-borate), serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, prostaglandin D2, or U-44069. Intravenous montelukast antagonized bronchoconstriction induced in anesthetized guinea pigs by i.v. leukotriene D4 but did not block bronchoconstriction to arachidonic acid, histamine, serotonin, or acetylcholine. Oral administration of montelukast blocked leukotriene D4 induced bronchoconstriction in conscious squirrel monkeys, ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction in conscious sensitized rats (ED50 0.03 +/- 0.001 mg/kg; 4 h pretreatment), and also ascaris-induced early and late phase bronchoconstriction in conscious squirrel monkeys (0.03-0.1 mg/kg; 4 h pretreatment). A continuous i.v. infusion of montelukast (8 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) resulted in a 70% decrease in the peak early response and a 75% reduction of the late response to ascaris aerosol in allergic conscious sheep. Montelukast, a potent and selective leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist with excellent in vivo activity is currently in clinical development for the treatment of asthma and related diseases.

Acetates↗

Involvement of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in intrinsic tone of isolated guinea pig trachea.

Indomethacin and related nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relax prostanoid-dependent intrinsic tone of isolated guinea pig trachea by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX). Recently, a second isoform of COX (COX-2) was discovered, which differed from COX-1 with respect to protein structure, transcriptional regulation, and susceptibility to inhibition by pharmacological agents. It is now known that indomethacin nonselectively inhibits COX-1 and COX-2, whereas NS-398 is a selective inhibitor of COX-2. In the present study we compared the activity of a selective (NS-398) and nonselective (indomethacin) COX-2 inhibitor on intrinsic tone of isolated guinea pig trachea. NS-398 > or = indomethacin produced a reversal of intrinsic tone with a similar concentration-dependent (10 nM to 1 microM) time course (Tmax approximately 20-45 min), potency (EC50 1.7 and 5.6 nM, respectively), and maximal response. Contractions to cholinergic nerve stimulation (45 V, 0.5 ms, 0.1-32 Hz) and histamine were similarly modulated in tissues relaxed with the selective or nonselective COX-2 inhibitors. Immunoblot analyses showed that COX-2 protein synthesis was induced in both the cartilage and smooth muscle portions of the trachea during changes in intrinsic tone. These findings are consistent with pharmacological results and provide the first demonstration that prostanoid tone in isolated guinea pig trachea is dependent on COX-2 activity. The results also suggest that the activity of indomethacin in this preparation is likely related to COX-2 inhibition.

Animals↗

The expanded scapular flap.

The scapular fasciocutaneous flap is a very reliable free tissue transfer, but its size and/or thickness may limit its use in some patients. Scapular fasciocutaneous flaps were expanded for 6 to 12 weeks prior to transfer in 14 patients. The flaps ranged in size from 96 to 1885 cm2 and were used to cover chronic soft-tissue defects. Twelve were transferred as free flaps to distant sites, while two were transferred as pedicled flaps to the ipsilateral extremity. The pedicled flaps were designed across the entire back to incorporate both scapular territories but were rotated on a single vascular pedicle. All flaps survived, but three had marginal distal necrosis not related to the microvascular anastomoses. Two flaps transferred by microsurgical technique developed arterial thromboses requiring revision of the anastomoses. Three patients developed partial donor wound dehiscence after transfer of large flaps that healed by secondary intention in two cases and required a split-thickness skin graft for donor-site closure in the third. Flap expansion produces a delay phenomenon that augments blood supply and increases the area of skin that can survive on a single vascular pedicle. This technique may be useful in selected patients in whom a large, thin fasciocutaneous flap is required and there is sufficient time to allow flap expansion prior to transfer.

Adolescent↗

Thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indoles as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors: synthesis, biological profile, and resolution of 2-[2-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-[(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methoxy]-4,5 -dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indol-2-yl]ethoxy]butanoic acid.

Leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors have potential as new therapies for asthma and inflammatory diseases. The recently disclosed thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indole class of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors has been investigated with particular emphasis on the side chain bearing the acidic functionality. The SAR studies have shown that the inclusion of a heteroatom (O or S) in conjunction with an alpha-ethyl substituted acid leads to inhibitors of improved potency. The most potent inhibitor prepared contains a 2-ethoxybutanoic acid side chain. This compound, 14d (2-[2-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-[(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methox y]- 4,5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-cd]indol-2-yl]ethoxy]-butanoic acid, L-699,333), inhibits 5-HPETE production by human 5-LO and LTB4 biosynthesis by human PMN leukocytes and human whole blood (IC50s of 22 nM, 7 nM and 3.8 microM, respectively). The racemic acid 14d has been shown to be functionally active in a rat pleurisy model (inhibition of LTB4, ED50 = 0.65 mg/kg, 6 h pretreatment) and in the hyperreactive rat model of antigen-induced dyspnea (50% inhibition at 2 and 4 h pretreatment; 0.5 mg/kg po). In addition, 14d shows excellent functional activity against antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in the conscious squirrel monkey [89% inhibition of the increase in RL and 68% inhibition in the decrease in Cdyn (0.1 mg/kg, n = 3)] and in the conscious sheep models of asthma (iv infusion at 2.5 micrograms/kg/min). Acid 14d is highly selective as an inhibitor of 5-LO activity when compared to the inhibition of human 15-LO, porcine 12-LO and ram seminal vesicle cyclooxygenase (IC50 > 5 microM) or competition in a FLAP binding assay (IC50 > 10 microM). Resolution of 14d affords 14g, the most potent diastereomer, which inhibits the 5-HPETE production of human 5-LO and LTB4 biosynthesis of human PMN leukocytes and human whole blood with IC50s of 8 nM, 4 nM, and 1 microM respectively. The in vitro and in vivo profile of 14d is comparable to that of MK-0591, which has showed biochemical efficacy in inhibiting ex vivo LTB4 biosynthesis and urinary LTE4 excretion in clinical trials.

Animals↗

Malaria vaccine development.

The malaria parasite life cycle presents several targets for attack, but these different parts of the life cycle are susceptible to different types of host immune response. For example, the sporozoite is most sensitive to immune antibody, while liver stage parasites can be eliminated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Attachment of merozoites to erythrocytes, on the other hand, can be blocked by antibody. Convincing experimental evidence shows that completely protective immunity to malaria can be induced. The challenge now is to design recombinant or synthetic vaccines that induce the right types of immune responses to specific life cycle stages. This requires the identification and characterization of B- and T-lymphocyte epitopes expressed by the parasite or by parasitized host cells. These epitopes must be incorporated into a delivery system that maximizes the interaction between the vaccine epitopes and the host immune system. Many epitopes from several parts of the life cycle are already characterized; development of multivalent vaccines, that is, vaccines which contain immunogens from more than one part of the life cycle, is a promising area for research efforts.

Animals↗

Use of recombinant virus to assess human cytomegalovirus early and late promoters in the context of the viral genome.

We have developed a system to study human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) cis-acting promoter elements within the context of the viral genome. A recombinant HCMV (RV134) containing a marker gene (beta-glucuronidase) was used to insert HCMV promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene constructs into the viral genome between open reading frames US9 and US10. Using this system, we have studied the promoters for the early DNA polymerase gene (UL54), the early-late lower matrix phosphoprotein gene (pp65, UL83), and the true late 28-kDa structural phosphoprotein gene (pp28, UL99). Transient-expression assays demonstrated that the pp65 and pp28 promoters are activated earlier and to higher levels than typically observed with the endogenous gene. In contrast, insertion of these promoters into the viral genome resulted in kinetics which mimicked that of the endogenous genes. In addition, we have also tested a variant of the pp28 promoter (d24/26CAT) which is deleted from -609 to -41. This promoter behaved similarly to the wild-type pp28 promoter, indicating that sequences from -40 to +106 are sufficient for conferring true late kinetics. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the viral genome affords a level of regulation on HCMV gene expression that has been previously unrealized. Therefore, these experiments provide a model system for the analysis of cis-acting promoter regulatory elements in the context of the viral genome.

Blotting, Southern↗

Proteolytic activity of human cytomegalovirus UL80 protease cleavage site mutants.

The human cytomegalovirus UL80 open reading frame encodes protease and assembly protein from its N- and C-terminal regions, respectively. We reported previously that a 30-kDa protease is derived by autoproteolytic processing of a polyprotein which is the translation product of the entire UL80 open reading frame (E. Z. Baum, G. A. Bebernitz, J. D. Hulmes, V. P. Muzithras, T. R. Jones, and Y. Gluzman, J. Virol. 67:497-506, 1993). Three autoproteolytic cleavage sites within the UL80 polyprotein were characterized; site 143 is within the protease domain and inactivates the protease. In this article, we report (i) expression analyses of UL80 in infected cells, including the processing kinetics of the UL80 polyprotein; (ii) the existence of an additional cleavage site (site 209) within the protease domain of the UL80 polyprotein; and (iii) the effect of mutagenesis at each of the cleavage sites upon proteolytic activity and steady-state levels of the UL80 processing products. During the course of infection, UL80 polyprotein processing begins at cleavage site 643 and follows at sites 256 and 143. Cleavage at site 643 and/or 256 within the polyprotein is not a prerequisite for efficient protease activity, since all three proteases (85-, 80-, and 30-kDa proteins) were equally active in cleaving the assembly protein precursor to its mature form. Inhibition of cleavage at site 143 resulted in a three- to sixfold increase in the steady-state level of the 30-kDa protease, supporting the hypothesis that cleavage at this site may represent a mechanism by which cytomegalovirus regulates the level of active protease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neurokinin (NK2) receptors mediate nonadrenergic noncholinergic contractile responses to electrical stimulation and resiniferatoxin in guinea pig trachea.

In the present study we characterized the receptor(s) that mediates non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) contractions of isolated guinea pig cervical trachea, using CP-99,994, a selective neurokinin (NK1) receptor antagonist, and SR-48,968, a selective neurokinin (NK2) receptor antagonist. The activity of these two antagonists was determined against contractions to the selective agonists ([beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) for NK2 and [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP for NK1) and the nonselective (SP and NKA) NK receptor agonists. CP-99,994 was inactive versus NKA and [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) but antagonized SP- and [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP-induced contractions with -log KB values of 5.6 +/- 0.2 and 7.7 +/- 0.2, respectively. SR-48,968 was inactive versus SP and [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP but was active versus NKA and [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10), yielding -log KB values of 8.4 +/- 0.2 and 9.1 +/- 0.2, respectively. In the presence of 1 microM atropine, 1.4 microM indomethacin, 0.2 microM timolol, and 4 microM thiorphan, electrical field stimulation (16 Hz, 2.0 ms, 50 V for 10 every 30 min) elicited a NANC contractile response which was not significantly altered by CP-99,994 (3 microM) or the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (10 microM) but was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1 microM) and was also reduced to 58 +/- 12, 31 +/- 16, 8 +/- 4, and 0% of control by 15, 50, 150, and 1500 nM SR-48,968, respectively. Resiniferatoxin (1 and 10 nM) produced a well-maintained concentration-dependent contraction, which was 57.8 +/- 4.8 and 61.6 +/- 3.8%, respectively, of the carbachol-induced maximum response. Contractions were not significantly modified by L-NAME and were not blocked by TTX (1 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗

Malaria vaccine study site in Irian Jaya, Indonesia: Plasmodium falciparum incidence measurements and epidemiologic considerations in sample size estimation.

Malaria epidemiologic and entomologic studies were performed during both the high transmission and low transmission seasons to characterize the Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission at a proposed malaria vaccine trial site in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. The study population consisted of two subsets: native Irianese men with lifelong exposure to malaria and transmigrants who arrived from a nonmalarious area 2.5 years before the start of the study. All subjects received a radical cure for malaria and were then monitored weekly by blood film. Both P. falciparum malaria attack rates and incidence densities were calculated; transmigrants had a significantly higher rate (P = 0.003) than the Irianese during the low transmission season study (20-weeks long) but not during the high transmission season study (12-weeks long). Lack of exposure-induced immunity left the transmigrants at a minimum 17-25% greater relative risk of becoming parasitemic compared with the Irianese during the low transmission season study. During the high transmission season study, 50% of the transmigrants were P. falciparum positive by week 6 and 50% of the Irianese by week 9. During the low transmission season, 50% of the transmigrants were positive by week 10 and 43% of the Irianese were positive by week 17. Entomologic studies showed that Anopheles koliensis was the predominant vector (> 98% of anopheline catch). Entomologic inoculation rates for P. falciparum were 0.018 and 0.39 infective bites/person/night for the low and high transmission seasons, respectively. New P. vivax cases represented between 16% and 42% of all initial malaria cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Acridine orange diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum: evaluation after experimental infection.

The value and role of the acridine orange/microhematocrit tube method (quantitative buffy coat [QBC] analysis) in the diagnosis of malaria remains controversial. To establish the true sensitivity of this test in comparison with the thick blood film, we studied 49 subjects who were experimentally infected with Plasmodium falciparum in 10 malaria vaccine and infectivity trials. Diagnosis was made by the acridine orange staining method 1-3 days earlier than by the thick blood film in 23 subjects (47%) and at the same time as the thick blood film in 20. On the other hand, diagnosis was made by thick blood film earlier than by the acridine orange staining method in six individuals. There were no false positive results using acridine orange among 584 specimens studied. Diagnosis was made using acridine orange at a parasitemia of less than 11 parasites/microliters of blood in 65% of cases. Where available, the acridine orange assay is clearly preferable in terms of speed and accuracy to the thick blood film for diagnosis with parasitemias of less than 150/microliters of blood, and perhaps as important, for ruling out infection with P. falciparum in a symptomatic patient.

Acridine Orange↗

Expression and analysis of the human cytomegalovirus UL80-encoded protease: identification of autoproteolytic sites.

The 45-kDa assembly protein of human cytomegalovirus is encoded by the C-terminal portion of the UL80 open reading frame (ORF). For herpes simplex virus, packaging of DNA is accompanied by cleavage of its assembly protein precursor at a site near its C terminus, by a protease encoded by the N-terminal region of the same ORF (F. Liu and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 65:5149-5156, 1991). By analogy with herpes simplex virus, we investigated whether a protease is contained within the N-terminal portion of the human cytomegalovirus UL80 ORF. The entire UL80 ORF was expressed in Escherichia coli, under the control of the phage T7 promoter. UL80 should encode a protein of 85 kDa. Instead, the wild-type construct produces a set of proteins with molecular masses of 50, 30, 16, 13, and 5 kDa. In contrast, when mutant UL80 is deleted of the first 14 amino acids, it produces only an 85-kDa protein. These results suggest that the UL80 polyprotein undergoes autoproteolysis. We demonstrate by deletional analysis and by N-terminal sequencing that the 30-kDa protein is the protease and that it originates from the N terminus of UL80. The UL80 polyprotein is cleaved at the following three sites: (i) at the C terminus of the assembly protein domain, (ii) between the 30- and 50-kDa proteins, and (iii) within the 30-kDa protease itself, which yields the 16- and 13-kDa proteins and may be a mechanism to inactivate the protease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of iberiotoxin with beta-adrenoceptor agonists and sodium nitroprusside on guinea pig trachea.

Airway smooth muscle plasma membranes contain a variety of functional K+ channels. In particular, there is a predominance of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels (maxi-K). Inhibition of these K+ channels has been postulated to account for the ability of charybdotoxin (ChTX) to produce contraction of airway smooth muscle and to modify the relaxant effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Iberiotoxin (IbTX) is more selective and more potent than ChTX at blocking maxi-K channels. In this study, pharmacological experiments were performed on guinea pig trachea to determine whether IbTX produced effects similar to ChTX. The concentration-response curves to salbutamol were markedly affected by IbTX, with a > 60-fold rightward shift being produced with 20 nM IbTX. The maximal relaxation to salbutamol was reduced to 49.3 +/- 0.9, 22.3 +/- 4.7, and 15.0 +/- 2.7% of control maximum in the presence of 20, 60, and 180 nM IbTX, respectively. Similar to salbutamol, the maximal relaxation to SNP was reduced to 80 +/- 1.6, 19 +/- 1.7, and 12 +/- 2.1% of control maximum in the presence of 20, 60, and 180 nM IbTX, respectively. IbTX (180 nM) failed to produce a significant alteration of relaxation to the ATP-dependent K+ channel agonist BRL-34915. Exposure of tissues to K(+)-rich medium (80 mM) inhibited responses to salbutamol > or = SNP > isoproterenol. These results confirm and extend our earlier observations that maxi-K channels may be involved in regulating tone and relaxation of carbachol-contracted guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. This mechanism is of particular importance for beta 2-adrenoceptor- and SNP-induced relaxation.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

NK1 and NK2 receptors mediate tachykinin and resiniferatoxin-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs.

The present study characterized neurokinin receptor-mediated bronchoconstrictor responses in anesthetized guinea pigs. Thus, we have compared the actions of the selective neurokinin 1 (NK1) (CP-99,994) and neurokinin 2 (NK2) (SR-48,968) receptor antagonists against dose-response curves (DRC) induced by intravenously administered substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB), beta Ala8-NKA (4-10),Sar9-Met(O2)11SP, and single dose (intravenous) challenge with resiniferatoxin (RTX), a capsaicin-like sensory neurotoxin, leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and antigen. The rank order of potency of the neurokinins for inducing bronchoconstriction was beta Ala8-NKA(4-10) > NKA > Sar9-Met(O2)11Sp > SP >> NKB. The DRC to the selective NK1 agonist Sar9-Met(O2)11SP was shifted to the right 10-fold by the selective NK1 antagonist, CP-99,994 (1 mg/kg, intravenously), but was not shifted by SR-48,968 (3 mg/kg, intravenously). The DRC to the selective NK2 agonist beta-Ala8-NKA(4-10) was shifted to the right 82-fold by the NK2 antagonist, SR-48,968 (1 mg/kg), but was not shifted by CP-99,994 (3 mg/kg, intravenously). SR-48,968 (1 mg/kg) also blocked NKA (3-fold shift) but did not block SP. CP-99,994 failed to produce a significant rightward shift of the DRC to either SP or NKA. However, the combination of 1 mg/kg CP-99,994 and 1 mg/kg SR-48,968 produced significant shifts of the DRCs to SP (> 5-fold) and NKA (> 300-fold). Hypotension induced by NKA and SP was also blocked by this combination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Age-specific prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum among six populations with limited histories of exposure to endemic malaria.

The age-specific prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia among residents of six villages in northeastern Irian Jaya, Indonesia, has been measured for a period of five years. All study subjects were transmigrants from Java living in Irian Jaya for three weeks to 72 months, depending upon the village and point of measurement. Fifteen separate estimates of prevalence were obtained from 4,554 Giemsa-stained thick blood films from 91 to 701 people (mean sample size = 304) among the six villages. The prevalence of parasitemia among people who had lived in Irian Jaya for less than one year did not decrease as a function of age, except in one village at eight months. In contrast, after 16 months to two years or more of residence, the prevalence of parasitemia decreased markedly with increasing age beyond 6-10 or 11-15 years. Social, behavioral, or entomologic characteristics of these populations did not explain the decreasing prevalence of parasitemia with age. An age-dependent naturally acquired protective immunity appeared to develop in all of these villages after 1-2 years of exposure to hyperendemic malaria.

Adolescent↗