A HISTOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF MALARIAL PLACENTAS

Sections of 18 malaria-infected placentas were stained with haematoxyl in and eosin, periodic acid and methenamine silver, and immunohistoche mically with monoclonal antibodies against human common leukocyte anti gen, CLA (CD 45), B cells (CD 20, L 26), T cells (CD 45RO, UCHL-1) and collagen IV: Parasitized erythrocytes accumulated in the maternal vil lous spaces, with none in the foetal circulation. These were found in association with inflammatory leukocytes and pigments. Fibrinoid necro sis was more prevalent in the heavily infected placentas. Thickening a nd reduplication of foetal capillary basement membranes, and a decreas e in leukocytes, including B and T cells, were seen in the heavily inf ected placentas. These findings are in keeping with previously reporte d depression of cellular and humoral immunity in patients with heavy p arasitaemia.