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Malaria Journal
Published in: Malaria Journal 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Comparison of the specificity of antibodies to VAR2CSA in Cameroonian multigravidae with and without placental malaria: a retrospective case–control study

Authors: Anna Babakhanyan, Rui Fang, Andrew Wey, Ali Salanti, Grace Sama, Canisia Efundem, Robert J. I. Leke, John J. Chen, Rose G. F. Leke, Diane W. Taylor

Published in: Malaria Journal | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Antibodies (Ab) to VAR2CSA prevent Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes from sequestrating in the placenta, i.e., prevent placental malaria (PM). The specificity of Ab to VAR2CSA associated with absence of PM is unknown. Accordingly, differences in the specificity of Ab to VAR2CSA were compared between multigravidae with and without PM who had Ab to VAR2CSA.

Methods

In a retrospective case–control study, plasma collected from Cameroonian multigravidae with (n = 96) and without (n = 324) PM were screened in 21 assays that measured antibody levels to full length VAR2CSA (FV2), individual VAR2CSA DBL domains, VAR2CSA domains from different genetic backgrounds (variants), as well as proportion of high avidity Ab to FV2.

Results

Multigravidae with and without PM had similar levels of Ab to FV2, the six VAR2CSA DBL domains and different variants, while the proportion of high avidity Ab to FV2 was significantly higher in women without PM at delivery (p = 0.0030) compared to women with PM. In a logistic regression model adjusted for gravidity and age, the percentage of high avidity Ab to FV2 was associated with reduced likelihood of PM in multigravidae. A 5 % increase in proportion of high avidity Ab to FV2 was associated with a nearly 15 % lower likelihood of PM.

Conclusion

Ab avidity to FV2 may be an important indicator of immunity to PM.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of the specificity of antibodies to VAR2CSA in Cameroonian multigravidae with and without placental malaria: a retrospective case–control study
Authors
Anna Babakhanyan
Rui Fang
Andrew Wey
Ali Salanti
Grace Sama
Canisia Efundem
Robert J. I. Leke
John J. Chen
Rose G. F. Leke
Diane W. Taylor
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Malaria Journal / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2875
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-015-1023-6

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