IMBALANCED DISTRIBUTION OF IGM AND IGG ANTIBODIES AGAINST PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM ANTIGENS AND MEROZOITE SURFACE PROTEIN-1 (MSP1) IN PREGNANCY

In malaria endemic areas, pregnancy is assumed to be associated with a specific reduction in immunity to Plasmodium. falciparum malaria. To understand some of the mechanisms which underlie such a poor immunity, we have attempted to examine the frequency and distribution of IgM an d IgG antibodies to a crude antigenic extract of parasitized erythrocy tes and to the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1), in a population of mothers compared to control non-pregnant women, all living in Dakar an d suburbs. Specifically, this work describes: (i) the responses of mot hers and control women; (ii) the balance between IgM and IgG responses ; and (iii) responses to malarial antigen and to MSP1. An unexpected b alance between P. falciparum-specific IgM and IgG is shown, associated with a substantial increase in anti-MSPI IgM, and a decrease in anti- MSP1 IgG in parturients. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.