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Longitudinal study of seroreactivities to Pf155/RESA and its repetitive sequences in small children from a holoendemic area of Liberia.

The seroreactivities to Pf155/RESA antigen and to three oligopeptides (EENV)2, EENVEHDA and K(DDEHVEEPTVA)2, which constitute repeat subunits of the RESA molecule, were investigated between 1980 and 1986 in two cohorts of children (n = 114) with and without monthly chemosuppression (pulsed reduction of parasite load) against malaria from six months to five years of age during development of protective immunity. Serum samples were collected first at half-yearly and then yearly intervals. Positive immunofluorescence against Pf155/RESA (EMIF) was only found in 24% of the samples. The children with chemosuppression were more often seropositive (30%) than the non prophylactic children (17%). This was in contrast to the seroreactivity against crude parasitic antigens which was highest in the non prophylactic children. In these children, there was a general decrease of EMIF titres around two years of age. Immunosuppression by chronic parasitaemia may be suggested as a reason for this. ELISA seroreactivity was found against one, two or three oligopeptides in all children with high EMIF titres (greater than 250) although (EENV)2 appeared to best correlate (92%) with the EMIF seropositivity. While EMIF seropositivity only showed partial correlation to immunoprotection against patent parasitaemia in the non prophylactic children, the individual profiles of the seroreactivities to the different specific epitopes of the Pf155/RESA molecule and their relevance with regards to protective immunity to malaria need to be investigated further.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

HLA DPA1/DPB1 genotype and haplotype frequencies, and linkage disequilibria in Nigeria, Liberia, and Gabon.

The frequencies of DPA1 and DPB1 alleles and their occurrence in haplotypic linkage were assessed and compared in Nigerian, Liberian, and Gabonese individuals. Differences were seen in the distribution patterns; these differences were more pronounced between the Gabonese and the other two populations than between Liberians and Nigerians. Several haplotypic DPA1-DPB1 combinations could be verified by homozygosity. Linkage disequilibria of DPA1-DPB1 combinations, indicating further probable haplotypes, were estimated. Although different allele and haplotype frequencies were recognized in the three subgroups, the linkage disequilibria were mostly either positive or negative in all populations.

Ethnicity↗

Relationship between maternally derived anti-Plasmodium falciparum antibodies and risk of infection and disease in infants living in an area of Liberia, west Africa, in which malaria is highly endemic.

In areas where Plasmodium falciparum is endemic, immunoglobulin G is acquired by the fetus in utero, mainly during the third trimester of pregnancy. The potential protective effect of transferred anti-P. falciparum maternal antibodies was examined in a longitudinal study of 100 infants from birth to 1 year of age. The probability of acquiring a P. falciparum infection and developing an episode of clinical malaria was determined in relation to the P. falciparum-specific antibody level of the infant at birth against P. falciparum schizont antigen or recombinant merozoite surface protein MSP1(19) antigen. The risk of acquiring an episode of clinical malaria increased from birth to 6 months of age, after which it decreased. The overall prevalence of P. falciparum parasitemia was highest (48.9%) in the 6-month-old infants. The age-specific hematocrit value showed the lowest mean value (30.2) from 6 to 9 months, and the spleen rate was the highest (69.8%) at the same age. There was a lower risk of developing an episode of clinical malaria during the first year of life in the infants with high levels of anti-MSP1(19) antibodies at birth. The level of maternally derived overall anti-schizont antigen antibodies did not seem to play a role in the relative risk of developing malaria infection or disease during the first year of life, though the level of specific anti-MSP1(19) antibodies may be associated with protection.

Animals↗

Homozygous beta thalassaemia in Liberia.

The clinical and haematological findings in 19 Liberians probably homozygous for beta thalassaemia are described. The haemoglobin patterns were similar with Hb F levels in the 30-50% range and a raised level of Hb A2 and, although the clinical severity varied widely, over half the cases were symptomless and even the more severely affected ones showed a milder picture than that found in Mediterranean races. Haemoglobin-synthesis studies carried out on three homozygotes and two heterozygotes indicated a variable degree of globin-chain imbalance. The reasons for the mild course of the disease in Liberians and other African races are discussed; it is likely that the beta-thalassaemia genes in these populations are different from those in other racial groups. It is noted that all persons in this study belong to tribes which have a low incidence of the sickle-cell gene.

Black People↗